II
(Preparatory Acts)
COMMISSION
Amended proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on a revised Community ecoÜlabel award
scheme
(1999/C 64/12)
COM(1999) 21 final - 96/312(SYN)
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the ECÜTreaty on 19 January 1999)
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
Recital 4a (new)
Whereas for the acceptance by the general public of the
European ecoÜlabel award system it is essential thatenvironmental NGOs and consumer organisations havean important role in the decisionÜmaking process for the
award of Community ecoÜlabels;
Recital 9a (new)
Whereas in the various stages of the award of an
ecoÜlabel efforts must be made to ensure a high level of
environmental protection;
Recital 10
Whereas it is necessary to introduce a grading in the
ecoÜlabel in order to stimulate and recognize furtherenvironmental improvements, over and above the hurdles
set for the award of the label;Whereas it is necessary to introduce a grading in the
ecoÜlabel in order to stimulate and recognize furtherenvironmental improvements, over and above the hurdles
set for the award of the label; whereas it is necessary to
provide appropriate information on the label about thereasons for the award in order to assist consumers inunderstanding the significance of the award;
Article 1
Objectives and Principles
2.ÚÙThe environmental impacts are identified on the
basis of examination of the interactions with theenvironment, including use of energy and naturalresources, during the entire life cycle of a product.2.ÚÙThe environmental impacts are identified on the
basis of examination of the interactions with theenvironment, including use of energy and naturalresources, and with due regard for a high level ofenvironmental protection, during the entire life cycle of a
product.C 64/14 6.3.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities
EN
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
Article 3
EcoÜlabel criteria and assessment and verification requirements
1.ÚÙSpecific ecoÜlabel criteria shall be established
according to product groups. These criteria will set out
the requirements for each of the key environmentalaspects mentioned in Article 2, which a product mustfulfil in order to be considered for the award of an
ecoÜlabel.1.ÚÙSpecific ecoÜlabel criteria shall be established
according to product groups. These criteria will set out
the requirements for each of the key environmentalaspects mentioned in Article 2, which a product mustfulfil in order to be considered for the award of an
ecoÜlabel. The degree of technical reliability relating to
the quality of the product will be addressed.
Article 4
Scope
5.ÚÙThis Regulation shall not apply to food, drink or
pharmaceuticals.5.ÚÙThis Regulation shall not apply to food, drink,
pharmaceuticals or medical devices.
Article 6
Awarding the ecoÜlabel
2.ÚÙThe application may refer to a product put on the
market under one or more brand names. No new
application will be required for modifications in thecharacteristics of products which do not affectcompliance with the criteria.2.ÚÙThe application may refer to a product put on the
market under one or more brand names. No new
application will be required for modifications in thecharacteristics of products which do not affectcompliance with the criteria. The competent bodies must
however be informed about these modifications.6.3.1999 C 64/15 Official Journal of the European Communities EN