EC Library Guide on the EU Ecolabel: Selected publications
Selected EU publications
- Development of a European label for Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV)
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Garbí, A., Pérez, A., Clarke, A. et al., Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.
The main objectives of this deliverable are, on the one hand, the review and analysis of the current existing real-world emissions databases and vehicle classification schemes with air quality relevance and, on the other hand, the discussion of a new concept scheme that would lead to better informed and discerning consumers and a better-functioning single market. This report is a study of existing vehicle emissions classification schemes and emissions databases in use today (May 2021) worldwide. It complements existing EU vehicle emissions regulations and provides information for policy makers considering clean air measures, whilst increasing consumer awareness about the impact of harmful emissions produced during real-world driving by vehicles currently on sale in the EU market (Euro 6d or later). The work was conducted during 2020 and 2021 by a consortium of European organisations with expertise in vehicle emissions to provide insight into the technical, communication and governance elements of classification schemes.
The study presents best practices and areas of improvement from existing programmes to inform the development of a future comprehensive concept classification scheme for Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEVs), embracing the transition from the internal combustion engine (ICE) to electrified propulsion. An observation from reviewing 45 global sources (30 from Europe) of existing vehicle emissions data and classification schemes is that most use homologation data and, in many cases, only the CO2 or fuel economy data which are largely irrelevant to air quality impact. In European cities, where classification schemes are currently used to control vehicle access, Euro emissions stage data are the basis for air quality policies, which limits the resolution available on the real pollutant emissions from each vehicle.
- Ecoreport tool – Manual
The Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP henceforth) consists of a techno-economic-environmental assessment of a specific product group. This assessment is the main analytical step in the potential implementation of the Ecodesign Directive for a specific product group. Since 2013 the current MEErP methodology has been in use and considered fit for purpose. However, since time has already elapsed in this very dynamic field, the need for an update is apparent. The update of the MEErP put forth by the JRC at the request of DG GROW covers the following areas: 1) the updating of the EcoReport Tool; 2) a more systematic inclusion of material efficiency aspects and of environmental footprint/ecological profile aspects in the design options and in the LLCC curve; 3) a more systematic inclusion of societal life cycle costs; 4) a more refined evaluation of the economic impacts in task 7 of the MEErP.
The Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP henceforth) consists of a techno-economic-environmental assessment of a specific product group. This assessment is the main analytical step in the potential implementation of the Ecodesign Directive for a specific product group. Since 2013 the current MEErP methodology has been in use and considered fit for purpose. However, since time has already elapsed in this very dynamic field, the need for an update is apparent. The update of the MEErP put forth by the JRC at the request of DG GROW covers the following areas: 1) the updating of the EcoReport Tool; 2) a more systematic inclusion of material efficiency aspects and of environmental footprint/ecological profile aspects in the design options and in the LLCC curve; 3) a more systematic inclusion of societal life cycle costs; 4) a more refined evaluation of the economic impacts in task 7 of the MEErP.
The present manual: - describes each worksheet of the revised Ecoreport tool, in the order as they appear to the users. The user can find, at the beginning of each section of this report, the references of cells, rows and columns in the excel file to help moving within the tool and describe its functionalities - explains how/which sections of the MEErP have been updated or replaced by this revision (the present document and the review of MEErP report 2024), starting from the version of the MEErP used at the time of drafting this document for preparatory and review studies.
- Establishing a horizontal European climate label for products – Potential for an effective climate labelling framework
European Parliament, Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services, Weidema, B., Eliassen, J., European Parliament, 2023.
Publication metadata
An effective climate labelling scheme requires a methodology, a database, and a label format that allows consistent comparison both within and across product categories. To this end, we analyse the EU product environmental footprint (PEF) methodology, the state of databases on climate footprints, the current knowledge on effective label design, and relevant EU regulation. Based on this analysis, we conclude that further preparation is required before a voluntary, horizontal climate labelling scheme can be established under Union law, across all product categories. Specific improvements are proposed to harmonise and simplify the PEF methodology.
We also propose that a globally complete, consistent, and open background database is established and maintained, with an acceptable level of product detail. A label design is proposed that allows seamless cross-category comparison and consideration of the 'monetary rebound' effect, as well as easy communication of uncertainty. The development of a roadmap is also proposed. This should consider the broader context of environmental and sustainability labelling and the need to improve international product life cycle assessment standards and harmonise conflicting EU calculation rules.
- The EU ecolabel has turned 30 – Discover some EU ecolabel milestones, fun facts and achievements
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.
On 23 March 2022, the EU ecolabel officially turned 30! To commemorate three decades of achievements, many activities have been organised across Europe including social media campaigning, a mobile showroom and showcases. This brochure has been produced as part of these activities and provides a guided tour of the EU ecolabel’s background and history, including milestones, facts and figures, achievements and stories that have shaped the scheme along the way.
- EU ecolabel – Better for you, better for the environment
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.
Over 89,000 goods and services have been awarded the EU ecolabel and are available on the EU market. It is a reliable label that identifies goods and services with a reduced environmental impact.
- The EU ecolabel – Logo guidelines
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.
These guidelines are intended for EU Ecolabel license holders, competent bodies, applicants, journalists, publishing houses and other relevant stakeholders. They provide instructions on how to properly use the EU Ecolabel logo on any type of packaging, marketing material or publication. These guidelines are based on the EU Ecolabel regulation, Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009, in particular on Article 9 (points 9, 11 and 13) and on Annex II to this regulation. The EU Ecolabel logo can be used on goods and services, and on their associated promotional material, exclusively during the validity period of the EU-Ecolabel-awarded license.
- The EU ecolabel – Report
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.
The EU Ecolabel is a world-renowned, voluntary scheme promoting goods and services that clearly demonstrate environmental excellence, based on standardized processes and scientific evidence. It was launched in 1992 to help consumers, retailers and businesses make truly sustainable choices. Today, it is one the biggest and best-known schemes in many EU countries. Whether paper, cleaning products, cosmetics, clothes, do-it-yourself materials or hotels, there is a growing list of green product groups now open to certification. 30 years after the launch of the EU Ecolabel, a Flash Eurobarometer survey was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment to assess EU citizens’ awareness of the EU Ecolabel as well as their attitudes towards environmental labelling in general. Ipsos European Public Affairs interviewed a representative sample of citizens, aged 15 and over, in each of the 27 Member States of the European Union. Between 5 September 2023 and 13 September 2023, 26 635 interviews were conducted via computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI), using Ipsos online panels and their partner network. Survey data presented in this report are weighted to known population proportions.
- Identification of elements for a future "Strategy for the EU ecolabel”
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.
The general objective of the present study is to support the implementation of the EU Ecolabel identifying elements for a future strategy. The project team performed a market analysis highlighting water, electricity, gas, transport recreation and culture services, food and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants and hotels as the most consumed per household budget expenditure. The analysis on the attitude of consumers toward green products and services showed food, beverages and overthe- counter drugs, shoes and apparel, household appliances and electronics, lotions, detergents and creams, paper products, household detergents, mobility and financial services as the most frequently purchased.
The comparative analysis between EU Ecolabel and other ecolabelling schemes identified cosmetic products, education services, meeting and events, restaurant and catering services, toner and cartridges and financial products as the most successful product groups of the other ecolabels. Through an analysis on the economic sectors with the highest environmental improvement potential, the project team recognised food, housing and transport as the most relevant. Based on these findings and using the results of the stakeholders’ consultation, the project team defined three future scenarios for the EU Ecolabel in addition to the Baseline Scenario. Through the assessment of the scenarios, the project team suggested to pursue a twofold strategy focusing in the short period (by 2023) on consumable goods with a health/well-being connotation and in the long period (by 2028) on food, housing, mobility, education, financial, recreation and cultural sector services. Lastly, the project team developed a methodology for the identification and the discontinuation of EU Ecolabel product groups. With respect to the methodology, the project team considered economic, environmental, social and political criteria with a specific focus on Circular Economy. The methodology was applied to a long-list of possible future product groups. The most favourable future product categories identified are products with a health/well-being connotation; financial, food and transport services; and construction and building-related products.
- Review of the MEErP – Methodology for ecodesign of energy-related products
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Eynard, U., Spiliotopoulos, C., et al., Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.
The Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP henceforth) consists of a techno-economic-environmental assessment of a specific product group. This assessment is the main analytical step in the potential implementation of the Ecodesign Directive for a specific product group. Since 2013 the current MEErP methodology has been in use and considered fit for purpose. However, since 8 years have already elapsed in this very dynamic field, the need for an update is apparent. The current report depicts the proposal for update put forth by the JRC at the request of DG GROW. Areas covered are: 1) The updating of the EcoReport Tool; 2) A more systematic inclusion of material efficiency aspects and of environmental footprint/ecological profile aspects in the design options and in the LLCC curve; 3) A more systematic inclusion of societal life cycle costs; 4) A more refined evaluation of the economic impacts in task 7 of the MEErP.
- Last Updated: Sep 4, 2024 2:04 PM
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