Welcome
Why a handbook?
Why be concerned?
Environmental impacts
Human rights protection
Tools available
Communication
Environment in textile supply
The EU Eco-label Flower
The EU Eco-label Flower labelling scheme is a voluntary system across Europe designed
· to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment and
· for European consumers - including public and private purchasers - to easily identify them.
You can find the EU Eco-label, symbolized with a flower (see picture at right), throughout the European Union as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The European Eco-label is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and production.
The overall objective of European Community policy on the environment and business is to contribute to sustainable development. The EU eco-label scheme (as laid down in the new Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000) is now part of a wider approach on Integrated Product Policy (IPP) within the new Action Programme.
The EU Eco-label is administered by the European Eco-labelling Board (EUEB) and receives the support of the European Commission, all Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA). The Eco-labelling Board includes representatives such as industry, environment protection groups and consumer organisations.
The Scheme's core assets are its growing numbers of customers and stakeholders: their information, their ideas and their desire and ambition for green products all over Europe. The EU Eco-label is a rapidly growing brand, which organises people around the pursuit of common interests and causes. It is, therefore, a very valuable policy tool for the better integration of the Community's environment, single market and other policies.
Read more at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm
The list of present licences can be found at www.eco-label.com
EU-Flower compared to Oeko-tex.
A detailed comparison of the EU Eco-label Flower compared with Oeko-Tex 100 can be found here.
Key messages of the EU Eco-lab Flower is compared with Oeko-Tex 100 Class II label:
Other eco-labels:
Searching for eco-labelling schemes around the Globe, the Global Ecolabelling Network is a good place to start: www.gen.gr.jp
Looking for code 1402 will show you a number of schemes related to textiles from around the world besides the EU Flower label.
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EU Eco-label Flower |
Oeko-Tex 100 Class II |
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Overall |
The flower is the official eco-label of EU The demands are developed by the EU Commission in co-operation with the relevant industry Certification is done by national independent bodies |
A private label developed by some key knowledge centres in the textile manufacturing business Demands are revised by an international association Certification is done by national knowledge centres |
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Demands regarding health |
Use of carcinogenic and sensitising dyes and pigments are banned Testing of textiles for selected pesticides and preservatives Maximum limit for formaldehyde Platisol printing (PVC prints) not allowed |
Carcinogenic and sensitising dyes and pigments are banned in the final products Testing of textiles for selected pesticides and preservatives Maximum limit for formaldehyde Testing for maximum content of phthalates (from PVC) in product for babies |
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Environmental demands |
Demand for documentation of use of heavy metal free dyes and pigments Demand for wastewater treatment from wet treatment Certain detergents and softeners banned |
None |
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Quality demands |
Demands for maximum shrinkage Demands for colour fastness |
Demands for colour fastness |
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Control |
Includes audits of the company applying for the label and testing of the company’s products Later control by random testing of products and by audits |
Includes audits of the company applying for the label and testing of the company’s products Later control by random testing of products |