Product Policy in Europe: New Environmental Perspectives (Environment & Policy)

Servicio de Información Comunitario sobre Investigación y Desarrollo - CORDIS

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Research has shown that guests eating at hotel buffets may only consume about half of the food that they serve themselves. Due to EU food safety regulations, unconsumed food that has been set out on self-serve or that remains on plates must be thrown away.

Therefore, only leftover food surplus in the kitchen that respects storage and hygiene criteria can be redistributed to food banks. The European Commission actively encourages initiatives for the reduction of food waste within the Tourist Accommodation sector through the voluntary EU Ecolabel criteria for this industry. Published in January , these criteria introduced requirements for certified tourist accommodations to establish a food waste management plan, monitor food waste levels, and to communicate on their prevention and management actions to guests.

Environmental governance and integrated product policy

Furthermore, an optional requirement encourages tourist accommodations to recover their food waste via composting or biogas production a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter and considered to be a renewable resource. The use of single dose packages for non-perishable foodstuffs sugar, coffee, chocolate is also prohibited for EU Ecolabel certified establishments in order to reduce food packaging waste.

Indeed, in , the Commission confirmed it would focus on plastics production and use and work towards the goal of ensuring that all plastic packaging is recyclable by Through this project, the UN pushed for several elements addressed within the EU Ecolabel criteria including resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change.

Furthermore, specific to food waste, by being awarded the EU Ecolabel, tourist accommodations can collectively contribute to meeting the Sustainability Development Goal In addition, the tourist accommodation sector may encounter several benefits in implementing food waste reduction strategies: An April report published by UK charity organisation WRAP highlights the benefits of taking action to prevent food waste in hotels thanks to its compelling business case.

Reducing food waste can represent a large financial opportunity for hotels to lower costs, increase revenues while making a significant contribution to the UN SDG Over a three-year time frame, the average benefit-cost ratio for food waste is nearly 7: With this business case in mind, EU Ecolabel tourist accommodations can therefore take the steps to limit and better manage food waste while reaping business benefits.

This roadmap describes the Commission's plans to examine actions and options to improve the contribution of the different strands of work of EU product policy to the circular economy, in implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan. The roadmap is open for feedback until the 4 th of June and can be found here: On May 2nd , the European Commission adopted a new set of criteria for the EU Ecolabel service group "Cleaning Services" that will be published in the Official Journal in upcoming days. The new criteria focus on addressing present-day environmental hotspots present for cleaning services and will be valid for a period of five years.

Companies providing cleaning services are facing growing pressure to align their commercial, social and environmental practices.

The brand new EU Ecolabel criteria on indoor cleaning services address the most critical hotspots of cleaning processes and help businesses take real action towards sustainable cleaning. As of now, cleaning service companies that hold EU Ecolabel certificates are able to prove the efficiency of their environmental practices during green public procurement tenders.

Price is no longer the primary differentiator when selecting amongst providers of cleaning services, as social and environmental aspects, are increasingly becoming important. It encourages manufactures to produce goods and services that are more environmentally friendly. Any good or service that has been awarded the EU Ecolabel meets a set of high environmental and performance standards.

Today, nearly products and services bearing the EU Ecolabel are available on the market. The adoption of these new EU Ecolabel criteria contributes to the continued efforts of providing companies and consumers with a credible ecolabel to promote sustainable consumption and production, enhancing circular economy within Europe. Visit the EU Ecolabel website: Contact the EU Ecolabel Helpdesk: EU Ecolabel detergents and cleaning services aim to reduce the polluting effects of cleaning activities on the environment and provide healthier alternatives to consumers and cleaning personnel.

Detergents and cleaning activities make up a large source of chemical pressure on water resources and wastewater systems worldwide. Numerous toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic substances are present in most detergents, which affect the quality of water and the well-being of aquatic environments when discharged after use. Oxygen-reducing substances and chemical components are often found in large quantities in conventional detergents as they increase their efficiency.

These substances are, however, resistant to wastewater treatments aimed at biodegrading harmful substances during wastewater operations and can eventually end up in natural bodies of water. This poses a detrimental risk to natural ecosystems as high levels of nutrient pollution i. Conventional detergents may also include triclosan, suspected of interfering with human hormones, nanosilver, linked to neurological disorders, and substances that release formaldehyde suspected of causing cancer, allergies and asthma. These detergents can thus potentially cause severe health problems for both consumers and natural living organisms.

You will not find those substances in EU Ecolabel products. EU Ecolabel detergents and cleaning services differentiate themselves from conventional detergents and companies through the wide scope of environmental criteria they respect.

The label guarantees detergents with a reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems, limited hazardous and sensitising substances, increased biodegradability, reduced packaging, documented efficiency, and reliable user information. Ecolabel detergents and cleaning service companies prohibit chemicals which may cause cancer, alter DNA or damage fertility.

Amongst the restricted and banned chemicals are a number of fragrances, reactive chlorine compounds, Alkyl phenol ethoxylates APEOs , preservatives, colourants and allergenic substances that are particularly toxic to the environment. The toxicity of detergents on aquatic organisms is also reduced through critical dilution volume of product thresholds.

Performance tests conducted on all EU Ecolabel cleaning products guarantee the high quality and efficiency of all products comparable to conventional detergents. For example, certified products must have a satisfactory cleaning performance, even when used with cold water. Furthermore, the detergent must provide a dosing device to the consumer with a measurement quantity that is in accordance with that the most updated IKW German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association standard test for water hardness.

The availability of automatic dosing systems to users, in addition to an efficiency of detergents are also highlighted in the EU Ecolabel detergent criteria. Packaging requirements favour the use of recycled materials within its composition and must be clear of microplastics tiny toxic particles of plastic which end up in fish, crustaceans or plankton and can even be present in potable water for human consumption.

The characteristics of EU Ecolabel detergents aim to reduce the over-consumption of plastic, water and energy in order for each manufactured product to have the least harmful impact at the end of its lifecycle. This system ensures that dispenser products in the area of kitchen and laundry hygiene are manufactured free of environmentally and health-endangering raw materials. Hans Georg Hagleitner, the Managing Director notes that: However, they actually originate from one another.

Hagleitner wants to be representative of this, with clean chemistry and clean production. As flowers bud and birds chirp after the long winter break, you might want to make your home tidy and shiny. Why not go green for this spring cleaning? We use washing liquids, laundry powders, multi-purpose cleaners and dishwashing tablets daily to keep our houses clean.

But standard detergents are not as healthy as we might think. Most contain ingredients which can harm the environment and human health. Problematic substances can sneak through water treatment services, pollute rivers and can even end up in our plates and glasses. You can easily find Ecolabel detergents on your supermarket shelves. In September , around 5, Ecolabel consumer cleaning products, comprising detergents, were registered across the EU.

This label is about much more than just detergents. For 25 years, Ecolabel has been rewarding the most environmentally-friendly consumer products such as tissue papers, paints, shower gels and now even shoes, computers and hotels! Be on the lookout for the flower logo every time you shop. The EU Ecolabel is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Learn more in our factsheet. From organic cotton and eco-friendly wool to recycled polyester, the upholstery fabrics industry is transitioning towards more eco-friendly practices.

The EU Ecolabel is an efficient solution for companies seeking to adopt these good practices. It is no secret that textile manufacturing degrades the environment through toxic wastewater. Most of these dyes do not go through a controlled wastewater treatment process, instead remaining in the environment for long lengths of time due to their high resistance to light, temperature and most natural and chemical substances. Furthermore, these toxic and mutagenic losses are responsible for destroying aquatic ecosystems through a decrease of light penetration, photosynthetic activity and ultimately oxygen.

Acquiring and keeping up with third party labels such as the EU Ecolabel guarantees products that are environmentally friendly, of high quality and ethically sourced.

Related information

The EU Ecolabel certified Danish company Gabriel is one of the industry leaders in eco-friendly upholstery fabrics and particularly in materials such as environmentally certified polyester and wool. The EU Ecolabel criteria on wool fibre, polyester and dyes that Gabriel must comply with is particularly stringent. Strict limits on wool ectoparasiticide concentrations in raw wool prior to scouring must be respected.

Wool scourers must also follow measures to recover value from either oxidised grease, fibre, suint or sludge arising from the scouring site used for the EU ecolabelled wool products. These can take the form of transformation of these substances into chemical feedstock, compost or liquid fertiliser and building material. Products with polyester fibre must not have more than ppm of antimony present. Finally, dyes that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction or have metal complex must be removed. Amongst other practices, in order to respect these criteria, Gabriel has committed to a long-term partnership with Wools of New Zealand, which guarantees high-quality raw materials and good conditions for the sheep.

This type of wool possesses unique dyeing properties where the dye is easily absorbed into the fibre. By using high-quality raw wool, Gabriel can forego customary chemical finish treatments, since the desired characteristics are already inherent in the type of raw material sourced. Gabriel also controls the use of dyes and toxic substances through the installation of electronic measurements. This pushed the company to shift most of its energy-heavy production to use more renewable energy to lessen climate impacts and reduce the water and energy consumption per unit produced.

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Finally, by using fewer chemicals, Gabriel has been able to reduce both its use of water and electricity by about a third. From the production of genetically modified cotton to the use of toxic substances, producing jeans causes a lot of strain on the environment. The EU Ecolabel certifies companies who take conscious steps in improving the sustainability of their production. Although cotton plants cultivated for traditional jean production represent 2. This cotton then goes through a series of dye baths usually around 5 baths in order to achieve the iconic pigment of a blue jean.

This toxic indigo pigment is often dumped into neighbouring rivers, turning them blue. Overall, the amount of water wasted through this dying and discolouring process can go up to litres per pair of jeans, and the number of chemicals used is extremely high. Fortunately, the rise in environmentally conscious consumers is pushing brands to engage in eco-friendly initiatives. Finding alternative solutions is crucial if a brand wants to survive in this competitive industry.

Indeed, using organic, recycled and pesticide-free cotton is becoming more profitable for companies. The certification aims to improve the production of textiles through a large range of scientifically based criteria that encompass environmental and social concern and analyses the full life cycle of jeans. Furthermore, sandblasting, a technique used to achieve distressed denim is prohibited by the EU Ecolabel. This method consists of blasting abrasive materials such as silica sand crystalline which creates harmful dust and causes silicosis, lung cancer and other breathing problems in exposed workers.

The use of hazardous substances in the dyeing, printing and finishing is also strictly controlled by the certification. The EU Ecolabel ensures the quality of its certified products through consumer test requirements, which determine how quickly the jeans will fade and thin out. Many future-looking brands have found that the EU Ecolabel aligns with their sustainability values.

This commitment is shared within the industry and, with jean consumers through educational and cultural projects, seminars and workshops dedicated to the global fashion system. Last month around 65 thousand visitors were able to discover a selection of the best EU Ecolabel products in Paris. The consumers had chance to touch, try and experience all kind of products ranging from detergents to paints, wooden furniture to textiles from all around the EU.

It was a fun campaign for the visitors to recognise quality, eco-friendly products and us EU Ecolabel team and licence holders to organize this show. Questions on certification schemes, motivation, implementation and awareness were raised and a discussion took place in order to spotlight the benefits of the EU Ecolabel for North Germany Tourism.

Sylvie Ludain from the EU Ecolabel team presented how the brand new service fits into circular economy narrative. EU Ecolabel certificate for cleaning services will be valid mean of proof for green public procurement tenders. The new service will be also a push for other Type I labels like Blue Angel or Nordic Swan and will allow the entrepreneurs of cleaning services to stand out from the crowd by offering service that is not only differentiated by price, but other ethical values. Clients will be able to go for the environmental and social excellence.

The companies offering EU Ecolabel certified cleaning services will show the commitments and loyalty to the employees, who will be better protected from harmful and toxic cleaning products and educated how to use cleaning products in a most efficient way.

Showing that they are taking care not only of environment but also people who work for them. The EU Ecolabel now has over 54, products and services, with France as one of the leading marketplaces in Europe with 4, EU Ecolabelled products. As it rewards companies that choose to design sustainable and affordable products that promote innovation and resource efficiency, EU Ecolabel enables us all to make more responsible purchasing choices.

Find more information at: The workshop provided practical information on product groups and the application process. In this seminar took part 15 people from different companies starting with the waste management, tourist accommodation and ending up with representatives from the food industry. A week later similar seminar took place in Kaunas Chamber of Commerce. EU Ecolabel has launched its most recent survey that aims to help the EU Ecolabel team in understanding the perceptions of the scheme and its accompanying creative promotional materials.

This online survey targets a wide audience in France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Belgium and asks participants to share their opinion on four EU Ecolabel creative concepts.

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