Questions & answers
Would you like to learn more about the EU Ecolabel or find out how your company can benefit from it?
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions, practical information and helpful tips on sustainable procurement and product selection.
EU Ecolabel certificates are granted for a defined period, corresponding to the validity of the respective criteria. If the criteria are revised, certified companies must submit a new application in order to obtain an up-to-date certificate. As a rule, a transition period of one year is granted. Special rules apply to products that have already been produced and are still in stock (e.g. warehouse inventory).
Applications are submitted via the national contact points. In Germany, this is RAL gGmbH. The submitted documentation is reviewed, and once the evaluation is successful, a contract for the use of the EU Ecolabel is concluded with RAL gGmbH.
The duration depends on the product category and the completeness of the submitted documentation. As a rule, the process takes several weeks to several months.
The award criteria are reviewed approximately every four years to reflect technical progress and new scientific findings. Based on this review, a decision is made as to whether a revision of the criteria is necessary.
The EU Ecolabel is a trusted label that signals environmental responsibility, strengthens market positioning in Germany and across the EU, facilitates sustainable procurement and promotes trust among consumers and business partners.
The EU Ecolabel is the official environmental label of the European Union, introduced by the European Commission in 1992. It identifies products and services that have significantly lower environmental impacts than comparable alternatives in Germany and across the EU.
Detailed information, application documents and advisory services are available on our website.
For product-related criteria, all requirements of the respective product group must be fulfilled. An exception applies to the two service-related criteria sets – the EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation establishments and the EU Ecolabel for cleaning services. In these cases, there are mandatory criteria as well as optional criteria from which applicants can choose. The EU Ecolabel criteria cover environmental performance, resource efficiency, restrictions on hazardous chemicals, product durability, as well as social and ethical aspects. These requirements go far beyond the statutory minimum requirements in Germany.
There are currently 25 different product groups. Certified products and services include, among others, laundry detergents and cleaning products, textiles and footwear, paper products, paints and varnishes, as well as tourist accommodation establishments and campsites. Food and beverages, medicinal products and medical devices are excluded. A complete overview of the award criteria for all product and service groups can be found on the award criteria page.
Manufacturers, importers, service providers and retailers can apply for the EU Ecolabel for products and services offered on the EU market, whether for payment or free of charge. Applications must be submitted to the competent national body of the Member State in which the product is manufactured, first marketed or imported from a third country. If a product is manufactured or imported in several Member States, the applicant may choose the Member State to which the application is submitted. In Germany, the competent body is RAL gGmbH.