The EU has been working for years on the development of rigorous labels to empower both consumers and manufacturers in the green transition.More than 80% of consumers who know the EU Ecolabel trust it, according to a Eurobarometer survey. In recent years, this certification has also gained attention from producers, doubling certified products from 40.000 to 78.000. Recent statistics from March 2021 show that it continues to grow despite the COVID-19 crises and Brexit.
Scientists, industry, and NGOs have recently been involved in the revision of the EU Ecolabel for cosmetics, which is currently only available for rinse-off cosmetics such as gels and shampoos.
As part of the EU Ecolabelling board, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) has been successfully advocating for extending the scheme to all cosmetics with stricter environmental requirements. It is expected that the new outcome will be adopted and published in October 2021. Besides excluding microplastics, the new EU Ecolabel will bring more ambitious requirements for aquatic toxicity, biodegradability and verification of sustainable sourcing of palm oil.
“The revised criteria, recently endorsed by Member States, make the EU Ecolabel a good guide for consumers that are interested in the impact of cosmetics on the planet”, says Blanca Morales EU Ecolabel Coordinator for EEB and BEUC.
These new criteria not only bring good news to eco-conscious consumers, but also to those who are increasingly using apps to avoid hazardous chemicals in cosmetics. The new EU Ecolabel for cosmetics will tell us which products are free of endocrine disruptors, allergens and sensitising chemicals, including highly toxic fluorinated PFAS, which can stay forever in our bodies and the environment.
Source: meta.eeb.org