The strong growth of environmental protection campaigns has partly driven the eco-friendly trend in production, as well as in the tourism and hospitality industries. We see the emergence of numerous natural products that are environmentally friendly, and notably, those bearing the Ecolabel. So, what is Ecolabel, and what is the purpose of this label? Let’s find out.
What is the Ecolabel?
If you are still unsure about using eco-friendly products or services because there are too many labels and standards to research and verify, Ecolabel was created to help you solve this problem. Unlike environmental certifications or declarations developed independently by manufacturers or commercial enterprises, this label is more transparent and comprehensive as it is issued by an independent third-party auditor with a rigorous investigation process.
Products that receive this certification must fully meet environmental sustainability standards based on life cycle assessments. At the same time, they must also ensure that they do not have a negative impact on the environment during production and consumption. Products that can receive the Ecolabel are extremely diverse, not limited to everyday household products but also including services that serve daily life.
Advantages and outstanding features of Ecolabel
Environmental standards
True to its name, the Ecolabel always adheres to strict regulations related to the ecological environment. For a product or service to be certified, it must fully meet the following criteria: efficient use of energy, minimization of harmful chemicals, proper waste management, and sustainable use of resources during production. This allows us to evaluate and minimize the negative impacts of the product or service on the ecological environment.
Sustainability
By prioritizing sustainable resources over fossil fuels that are gradually becoming depleted, Ecolabel products and services are considered highly sustainable and environmentally friendly throughout their entire life cycle, from production and consumption to disposal.
Assurance for consumers
Ecolabel helps consumers avoid having to choose and deliberate between hundreds or thousands of different environmental certifications, while still ensuring they have an eco-friendly product or service with high sustainability. Additionally, since one of the required standards for this cetification is to minimize the use of chemicals, Ecolabel products and services also ensure some level of health safety for consumers.
Global Recognition
Due to its transparency, Ecolabel is widely used globally as a standard measure for products and services that do not negatively impact the environment and is recognized by consumers worldwide. Although each country has different Ecolabel assessment standards, in general, Ecolabel products and services fully meet sustainability criteria to promote and build a green society.
Joining Ecolabel
Due to the economic and environmental benefits that this label brings to the table, many businesses and manufacturers want to participate in the certification program. But how and what does it take to become part of Ecolabel?
First, we need to understand that with ecological programs such as Ecolabel, each country will have different requirements and standards. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully research the product categories and ecological program criteria of the location where registration is sought to ensure that the product or service meets the requirements.
The assessment process typically involves multiple stages spanning from extraction, production, distribution, and use to the post-consumer waste phase. Businesses and manufacturers only need to submit an application and send their products to a third party for testing. If successful, businesses and manufacturers will pay a licensing fee to use the Ecolabel for the duration of the registered eco-label program.
Conclusion
We can see that Ecolabel is a step forward in promoting the production of products and services that comply with strict standards in protecting the ecological environment and consumer health. So, if you are still wondering about choosing environmentally friendly products and services, don’t overlook Ecolabel products and services!