Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme
Date: 2000-07-17
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, European standard, European symbol, consumer information, eco-label, quality label

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

REGULATION (EC) No 1980/2000 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 17 July 2000

on a revised Community eco-label award scheme

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

eco-label

The aims of Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23
March 1992 on a Community
award
scheme (4) were to establish a voluntary Community
eco-label scheme intended to promote products with a
reduced environmental
impact during their entire life
cycle and to provide consumers with accurate, non-
deceptive and scientifically based information on the
environmental

impact of products.

Article 18 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 provides that
within five years from its entry into force the Commis-
sion should review the scheme in the light of the experi-
ence gained during its operation and should propose any
appropriate amendments to the Regulation.

The experience gained during the implementation of the
Regulation has shown the need to amend the scheme in
order to increase its effectiveness, improve its planning
and streamline its operation.

The basic aims for a voluntary and selective Community
eco-label award scheme are still valid; in particular such
an award scheme should provide guidance to consumers

(1) OJ C 114, 12.4.1997, p. 9 and
OJ C 64, 6.3.1999, p. 14.
(2) OJ C 296, 29.9.1997, p. 77.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 May 1998 (OJ C 167,
1.6.1998, p. 118), confirmed on 6 May 1999, Council Common
Position of 11 November 1999 (OJ C 25, 28.1.2000, p. 1) and
Decision of the European Parliament of 15 March 2000 (not yet
published in the Official
Journal). Council Decision of 29 June
2000.

(4) OJ L 99, 11.4.1992, p. 1.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

on products with a potential for reducing environmental
impact when viewed through its entire life-cycle, and
should provide information on the environmental char-
acteristics of labelled products.

the
the acceptance by the general public of
For
Community eco-label award system it is essential that
environmental NGOs and consumer organisations play
an important role and are actively involved in the devel-
opment and setting of criteria for Community eco-labels.

certain negative

It is necessary to explain to consumers that the eco-label
represents those products which have the potential to
as
reduce
compared with other products in the same product
group, without prejudice to regulatory requirements
applicable to products at a Community or a national
level.

environmental

impacts,

The scope of the Scheme should include products and
environmental factors which are of interest from the
point of view both of the internal market and of the
environment; for the purpose of this Regulation, prod-
ucts should also include services.

The procedural and methodological approach for setting
eco-label criteria should be updated in the light of
scientific and technical progress and of the experience
gained in this area, to ensure consistency with relevant
internationally recognised standards which are evolving
in this area.

The principles for establishing the selectivity level of the
eco-label should be clarified, in order to facilitate consis-
tent and effective implementation of the Scheme.

The eco-label should include simple, accurate, non-
deceptive and scientifically based information on the key
environmental aspects which are considered in the
award of the label,
in order to enable consumers to
make informed choices.

L 237/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

In the various stages of the award of an eco-label, efforts
must be made to ensure the efficient use of resources
and a high level of environmental protection.

down the procedures for the exercise of implementing
powers conferred to the Commission (3).

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

It is necessary to provide more information on the label
the reasons for the award in order to assist
about
consumers in understanding the significance of
the
award.

The eco-label scheme should in the long term be mainly
self-financing. Financial contributions from the Member
States should not increase.

It is necessary to assign the task of contributing to
setting and reviewing eco-label criteria as well as assess-
ment and verification requirements to an appropriate
body, the European Union Eco-Labelling Board (EUEB),
in order to achieve an efficient and neutral implementa-
tion of the scheme; the EUEB should be composed of
the competent bodies already designated by the Member
States under Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92,
and of a consultation forum which should provide for a
balanced participation of all relevant interested parties.

It is necessary to ensure that the Community eco-label
award scheme is consistent and coordinated with the
priorities of the Community environmental policy and
with other Community labelling or quality-certification
schemes such as those established by Council Directive
92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by
labelling and standard product
the
consumption of energy and other resources by house-
hold appliances (1) and by Council Regulation (EEC) No
2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of
agricultural products and indications referring thereto on
agricultural products and foodstuffs (2).

information of

(16) While existing as well as new eco-label schemes in the
Member States may continue to exist, provision should
be made
the
Community eco-label and other eco-label schemes in the
Community, in order to promote the common objec-
tives of sustainable consumption.

coordination

between

ensure

to

(17)

It is necessary to guarantee transparency in the imple-
mentation of the scheme and to ensure consistency with
relevant
international standards in order to facilitate
access to, and participation in, the Scheme by manufac-
the
of
and
turers
Community.

exporters

countries

outside

(18)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Regulation should be adopted in accordance with
Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying

(19)

Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 should be replaced by this
Regulation in order to introduce in the most effective
way the necessary revised provisions for the reasons
mentioned above, while appropriate transitional provi-
sions ensure continuity and smooth transition between
the two Regulations,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Objectives and principles

The objective of the Community eco-label award scheme
1.
(hereafter referred to as the Scheme) is to promote products
which have the potential to reduce negative environmental
impacts, as compared with the other products in the same
thus contributing to the efficient use of
product group,
resources and a high level of environmental protection. This
objective shall be pursued through the provision of guidance
and accurate, non-deceptive and scientifically based informa-
tion to consumers on such products.

For the purpose of this Regulation:

— the term ‘product’ is taken to include any goods or services,

— the term ‘consumer’

is

taken to include professional

purchasers.

The environmental

2.
impacts shall be identified on the
basis of examination of the interactions of products with the
environment, including the use of energy and natural resources,
during the life cycle of the product.

Participation in the Scheme shall be without prejudice to
3.
environmental or other regulatory requirements of Community
or national law applicable to the various life stages of goods,
and where appropriate to a service.

as

environmental policy,

The implementation of the Scheme shall comply with the
4.
provisions of the Treaties,
including the precautionary prin-
ciple, with the instruments adopted pursuant thereto and the
Community
in the
Community Programme of Policy and Action in relation to the
Environment
Fifth Action
and Sustainable Development
Programme established by the Resolution of 1 February
1993 (4), and shall be coordinated with other labelling or
quality certification arrangements as well as schemes such as, in
particular, the Community Energy Labelling Scheme established
by Directive 92/75/EEC and the Organic Agriculture Scheme
established by Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91.

specified

(1) OJ L 297, 13.10.1992, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regula-

tion (EC) No 1804/1999 (OJ L 222, 24.8.1999, p. 1).

(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(4) OJ C 138, 17.5.1993, p. 1.

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/3

Article 2

Scope

Article 3

Environmental requirements

The Community eco-label may be awarded to products
1.
available in the Community which comply with the essential
environmental requirements referred to in Article 3 and the
eco-label criteria referred to in Article 4. The eco-label criteria
shall be set out by product group.

Product group means any goods or services which serve similar
purposes and are equivalent in terms of use and consumer
perception.

In order to be included in this Scheme, a product group

2.
must fulfil the following conditions:

(a) it shall represent a significant volume of sales and trade in

the internal market;

(b) it shall involve, at one or more stages of the product's life,
a significant environmental impact on a global or regional
scale and/or of a general nature;

(c) it shall present a significant potential for effecting environ-
mental improvements through consumer choice as well as
an incentive to manufacturers or service providers to seek a
competitive advantage by offering products which qualify
for the eco-label; and

(d) a significant part of its sales volume shall be sold for final

consumption or use.

3.
A product group may be subdivided into sub-groups,
with a corresponding adaptation of eco-label criteria, when this
is required by the characteristics of the products and with a
view to ensuring the optimal potential of the eco-label for
improvements.
effecting environmental

The eco-label criteria related to the various sub-groups of a
single product group, covered by the same criteria document,
published in accordance with Article 6(5), shall become applic-
able at the same time.

The eco-label may not be awarded to substances or prep-
4.
arations classified as very toxic, toxic, dangerous to the envir-
onment, carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction, or mutagenic in
accordance with Council Directive 67/548/EEC (1) or Directive
1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2)
nor to goods manufactured by processes which are likely to
significantly harm man and/or the environment, or in their
normal application could be harmful to the consumer.

This Regulation shall not apply to food, drink, pharma-
5.
ceuticals nor to medical devices as defined by Council Directive
93/42/EEC (3), which devices are intended only for professional
use or to be prescribed or supervised by medical professionals.

(1) OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive
1999/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L
199, 30.7.1999, p. 57).
(2) OJ L 200, 30.7.1999, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 169, 12.7.1993, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 98/
79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 331,
7.12.1998, p. 1).

1.
The eco-label may be awarded to a product possessing
characteristics which enable it to contribute significantly to
improvements in relation to key environmental aspects, which
are linked to the objectives and principles set out in Article 1.
These environmental aspects shall be identified in the light of
the indicative assessment matrix in Annex I and shall meet the
methodological requirements set out in Annex II.

2.

The following provisions shall apply:

(a) in evaluating the comparative improvements, consideration
shall be given to the net environmental balance between
the environmental benefits and burdens, including health
and safety
adaptations
throughout the various life stages of the products being
considered. The evaluation shall also take into account the
possible environmental benefits related to the utilisation of
the products considered;

associated with the

aspects,

(b) the key environmental aspects shall be determined by iden-
tifying the categories of environmental impact where the
product under examination provides the most significant
contribution from a life cycle perspective, and among such
aspects the ones for which a significant potential
for
improvement exists;

(c) the pre-production stage of the life-cycle of goods includes
extraction or the production and processing of raw ma-
terials and energy production. Those aspects shall be taken
into account, as far as is technically feasible.

Article 4

Eco-label

criteria

and

assessment

and

verification

requirements

1.
Specific eco-label criteria shall be established according to
product groups. These criteria will set out the requirements for
each of the key environmental aspects mentioned in Article 3,
which a product must fulfil in order to be considered for the
award of an eco-label, including requirements relating to the
product's fitness in meeting the needs of the consumers.

The criteria shall seek to ensure a selectivity basis on the

2.
following principles:

(a) the product's prospects of market penetration in the
Community shall, during the period of validity of
the
criteria, be sufficient to effect environmental improvements
through consumer choice;

(b) the selectivity of the criteria shall take into account the
technical and economic feasibility of adaptations needed to
comply with them within a reasonable period of time;

L 237/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

(c) the selectivity of the criteria shall be determined with a
for environ-

view to achieving the maximum potential
mental

improvement.

3.
Requirements for assessing the compliance of specific
products with the eco-label criteria and for verifying the condi-
tions for the use of the eco-label referred to in Article 9(1),
shall be established for each product group together with the
eco-label criteria.

4.
The period of validity of the criteria, and the assessment
and verification requirements, shall be specified within each set
of eco-label criteria for each product group.

The review of the eco-label criteria as well as of the assessment
and verification requirements related to the criteria shall take
place in due time before the end of the period of validity of the
criteria specified for each product group and shall result in a
proposal for prolongation, withdrawal or revision.

Article 5

Working plan

In accordance with the objectives and principles set out in
Article 1, a Community eco-label working plan shall be estab-
lished by the Commission within one year from the entry into
force of this Regulation, following prior consultation of the
European Union Eco-Labelling Board (hereinafter referred to as
the EUEB) provided for in Article 13, in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 17. The working plan shall
include a strategy for the development of the Scheme, which
should set out for the subsequent three years:

— objectives for the environmental

improvement and the
market penetration which the scheme will seek to achieve,

— a non-exhaustive list of product groups which will be

considered as priorities for Community action,

— plans

for coordination and cooperation between the
Scheme and other eco-label award schemes in Member
States.

The working plan shall take particular account of the develop-
ment of joint actions to promote products awarded the eco-
label and the creation of a mechanism for the exchange of
information on existing and future product groups at national
and at European Union level.

The working plan shall also provide measures for the imple-
mentation of
include the planned
financing of the Scheme.

the strategy and shall

It shall also outline the services to which the Scheme is not
applicable, taking into account the Regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council allowing voluntary participation
by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit
system (EMAS).

The working plan shall be reviewed periodically. The first
review of the working plan shall include a report on how the
plans
cooperation between the
Community system and the national environmental labelling
systems have been implemented.

coordination and

for

Article 6

Procedures for the setting of eco-label criteria

The conditions for awarding the eco-label shall be defined

1.
according to product group.

The specific ecological criteria for each product group and their
respective periods of validity shall be established in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 17 following consulta-
tion of the EUEB.

2.
The Commission shall begin the procedure on its own
initiative or at the request of the EUEB. It shall give mandates
to the EUEB to develop and periodically review the eco-label
criteria as well as the assessment and verification requirements
related to those criteria, applying to the product groups
coming within the scope of this Regulation. A deadline for
completion of work shall be provided in the mandate.

The Commission shall, when drafting the mandate, take due
account of

— the working plan laid down in Article 5,

— the methodological requirements referred to in Annex II.

On the basis of the mandate the EUEB shall draft the
3.
the product group and the
eco-label criteria in respect of
assessment and verification requirements
related to those
criteria, as outlined in Article 4 and Annex IV, by taking into
account the results of feasibility and market studies, life cycle
considerations and the improvement analysis referred to in
Annex II.

4.
The Commission shall be informed of the draft criteria
referred to in paragraph 3 and shall decide whether the
mandate:

— has been fulfilled and the draft criteria can be submitted to
the regulatory Committee in accordance with Article 17, or

— has not been fulfilled and in that event the EUEB shall

continue its work on the draft criteria.

5.
The Commission shall publish the eco-label criteria, and
updates thereof, in the Official Journal of the European Commu-
nities (L series).

Article 7

Awarding the eco-label

Applications for the eco-label may be submitted by
1.
and
manufacturers,
retailers. The two last-named may submit applications only in
respect of products placed on the market under their own
brand names.

service providers,

importers,

traders

The application may refer to a product placed on the
2.
market under one or more brand names. No new application
will be required for modifications in the characteristics of
products which do not affect compliance with the criteria. The
competent bodies shall however be informed about significant
modifications.

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/5

The application shall be presented to a competent body

3.
in accordance with the following:

information to be included in the eco-label, in accordance with
the procedure set out in Article 17.

(a) where a product originates in a single Member State, the
application shall be presented to the competent body of
that Member State;

(b) where a product originates in the same form in several
Member States,
the application may be presented to a
competent body in one of those Member States. In such
cases the competent body concerned,
in assessing the
application, shall consult the competent bodies in those
other Member States;

(c) where a product originates outside the Community, the
application may be presented to a competent body in any
one of the Member States in which the product is to be or
has been placed on the market.

The decision to award the label shall be taken by the

4.
competent body receiving the application, after:

(a) verifying that

the product complies with the criteria

published under Article 6(5);

(b) verifying that the application conforms with the assessment

and verification requirements; and

(c) consulting competent bodies where necessary under para-

graph 3.

5. Where eco-label criteria require production facilities to
meet certain requirements they shall be met in all facilities
where the product is manufactured.

6.
Competent bodies shall recognise tests and verifications
performed by bodies which are accredited under the standards
of EN 45000 series or equivalent
international standards.
Competent bodies shall collaborate in order to ensure the
effective and consistent implementation of the assessment and
verification procedures.

Article 8

The eco-label

The form of the eco-label shall be in accordance with Annex
III. Specifications for the environmental information relevant to
each product group and for the presentation of that informa-
tion on the eco-label shall be included in the criteria set under
Article 6.
In each case the information shall be clear and
comprehensible.

The Commission shall consult national consumer associations
represented in the Consumer Committee
established by
Commission Decision 95/260/EC (1), before 24 September
2005, in order to assess how effectively the eco-label and the
additional
information needs of
consumers. On the basis of this assessment, the Commission
introduce any appropriate modifications as regards the
shall

information meets

the

(1) OJ L 162, 13.7.1995, p. 37.

Article 9

Terms of use

1.
The competent body shall conclude a contract with the
applicant for an eco-label, covering the terms of use of the
label. These shall
include provisions for withdrawing the
authorisation to use the label. The authorisation shall be recon-
sidered and the contract revised or terminated, as appropriate,
following any revision of the eco-label criteria applicable to a
given product. This contract shall state that participation in the
Scheme shall be without prejudice to environmental or other
regulatory requirements of Community or national law applic-
able to the various life stages of goods, and where appropriate
to a service.

To facilitate this a standard contract shall be adopted in accord-
ance with the procedure laid down in Article 17.

2.
The eco-label may not be used, and references to the
eco-label in advertising may not be made, until a label has been
awarded and then only in relation to the specific product for
which it has been awarded.

Any false or misleading advertising or the use of any label or
logo which may lead to confusion with the Community eco-
label as introduced by this Regulation is prohibited.

Article 10

Promotion of the eco-label

Member States and the Commission shall, in cooperation with
the members of the EUEB, promote the use of the Community
eco-label by
information
campaigns for consumers, producers, traders, retailers and the
general public,
the
Scheme.

supporting the development of

awareness-raising

actions

thus

and

In order to encourage the use of eco-labelled products the
Commission and other institutions of the Community, as well
as other public authorities at national
level should, without
prejudice to Community law, set an example when specifying
their requirements for products.

Article 11

Other eco-label schemes in the Member States

The Commission and the Member States shall act in order to
ensure the necessary coordination between this Community
Scheme and national schemes in the Member States, in partic-
in the selection of product groups as well as in the
ular,
development and revision of criteria at Community and
national level. For this purpose cooperation and coordination
measures shall be established according to the procedure laid
down in Article 17, including, inter alia, those envisaged in the
working plan produced in accordance with Article 5.

L 237/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

Where a product carries both the Community eco-label and the
national label the two logos shall be displayed side by side on
the product.

In this respect, existing as well as new eco-label schemes in the
Member States may continue to co-exist with the Scheme.

Article 12

Costs and fees

Every application for the award of an eco-label shall be subject
to payment of a fee relating to the costs of processing the
application.

The use of the eco-label shall entail payment of an annual fee
by the applicant.

The level of application and annual fees shall be established in
accordance with Annex V and under the procedure laid down
in Article 17.

Article 13

European Union Eco-Labelling Board

The Commission shall establish a European Union Eco-Label-
ling Board (EUEB)
competent bodies
consisting of
the Consultation Forum
mentioned in Article 14 and of
in particular con-
referred to in Article 15. The EUEB shall
tribute to the setting and review of eco-label criteria as well as
the assessment and verification requirements in accordance
with Article 6.

the

The rules of procedure of the EUEB shall be established by the
Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 17 and taking into account the procedural principles set
out in Annex IV.

Article 15

Consultation forum

relevant

The Commission shall ensure that in the conduct of its activ-
ities the EUEB observes, in respect of each product group, a
balanced participation of
interested parties
all
concerned with that product group such as industry and
service providers,
including SMEs, crafts and their business
organisations, trade unions, traders, retailers, importers, envir-
onmental protection groups and consumer organisations.
These parties shall meet in a consultation forum. The rules of
procedure of the forum shall be established by the Commission
in accordance with the procedure
down under
Article 17.

laid

Article 16

Adaptation to technical progress

The Annexes to this Regulation may be adapted to technical
progress
international
standardisation activities, in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 17.

including progress

in the relevant

Article 17

Committee procedure

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

2. Where reference is made to this Article, Articles 5 and 7
of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at three months.

3.

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 18

Infringements

Article 14

Competent bodies

Member States shall take appropriate legal or administrative
measures in case of non-compliance with the provisions of this
Regulation and communicate these measures to the Commis-
sion.

1.
Each Member State shall ensure that the body or bodies
(hereinafter referred to as the competent body or competent
bodies), responsible for carrying out the tasks provided for in
this Regulation, is/are designated and operational. Where more
than one competent body is designated, the Member State shall
determine those bodies' respective powers and the coordination
requirements applicable to them.

2. Member States shall ensure that:

(a) the composition of the competent bodies is such as to

guarantee their independence and neutrality;

(b) the rules of procedure of the competent bodies ensure, at
interested

national
parties and an appropriate level of transparency;

the active involvement of all

level,

Article 19

Transitional provisions

Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 is hereby repealed. However, it
shall continue to apply to contracts concluded under Article
12(1) thereof. The decisions based upon Regulation (EEC) No
880/92 remain in force until they are revised or have expired.

Article 20

Revision

Before 24 September 2005, the Commission shall review the
Scheme in the light of the experience gained during its opera-
tion.

(c) the competent bodies shall apply correctly the provisions

of this Regulation.

The Commission shall propose any appropriate amendments to
this Regulation.

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/7

Article 21

Final provisions

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following the date of its publication in the Official
Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 July 2000.

For the European Parliament

The President

N. FONTAINE

For the Council

The President

J. GLAVANY

L 237/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

ANNEX I

INDICATIVE ASSESSMENT MATRIX

Life cycle of products

Environmental aspects

Preproduc-
tion/raw
materials

Production

Goods

Distribution
(including
packaging)

Services

Use

Reuse/
recycling/
disposal

Acquisition
of goods
for service
performance

Service
performance

Waste
management

Air quality

Water quality

Soil protection

Waste reduction

Energy savings

Natural resource management

Global warming prevention

Ozone layer protection

Environmental safety

Noise

Biodiversity

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/9

ANNEX II

METHODOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SETTING ECO-LABEL CRITERIA

Introduction

The process of identifying and selecting the key environmental aspects as well as setting the eco-label criteria will include
the following steps:

— feasibility and market study,

— life cycle considerations,

— improvement analysis,

— proposal of the criteria.

Feasibility and market study

The feasibility and market study will consider the various types of product groups in question on the Community market,
the quantities produced or provided, imported and sold, and the structure of the market in the Member States. Internal
and external trade will also be considered.

Consumer perception, functional differences between types of products and the need for identifying subgroups will be
assessed.

Life cycle considerations (LCC)

Key environmental aspects for which criteria will need to be developed will be defined through the use of life cycle
considerations, and will be performed in accordance with internationally recognised methods and standards. The
principles laid down in EN ISO 14040 and ISO 14024 will be duly taken into account, where appropriate.

Improvement analysis

The improvement considerations will take into account in particular the following aspects:

— the theoretical potential for environmental improvement in conjunction with possible changes induced in the market

structures. This will be based on the improvement assessment from life cycle considerations,

— the technical,

industrial and economic feasibility and market modifications,

— consumer attitudes, perceptions and preferences, which may influence the effectiveness of the eco-label.

Proposal of the criteria

The final ecological criteria proposal will take into account the relevant environmental aspects related to the product
group.

L 237/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

ANNEX III

DESCRIPTION OF THE ECO-LABEL

Shape of the eco-label

The eco-label will be awarded to products which comply with the criteria, for all the selected key environmental aspects.
It will

include information for consumers in accordance with Article 8 and to the following scheme.

The label consists of two parts: box 1 and box 2, as follows:

EUROPEAN UNION ECO-LABEL

*

*

*

Awarded to goods or services which meet the environmental
requirements of the EU-eco-labelling scheme

Licence registration number:

Box 1

Box 2

Box 2 contains information about the reasons for the award of the eco-label. This information must relate to at least one
and not more than three environmental impacts. The information will be in the form of a brief description in words.

This is an example:

*

*

*

low air pollution

energy efficient

reduced toxicity

21.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 237/11

Box 1 and box 2 will be used together where this is practical but, where consideration of space is an important factor
with regard to small goods, box 2 may be omitted on some applications, provided that the full label is used in other
applications relating to the same good. For example, box 1 may be used on its own on the product itself if the full label
appears elsewhere on the packaging,

information leaflets or other point-of-sale material.

ANNEX IV

PROCEDURAL PRINCIPLES FOR ESTABLISHING ECO-LABEL CRITERIA

For the development of eco-label criteria as well as the assessment and verification requirements related to those criteria,
the following principles will apply:

1. Interested parties involvement

(a) A specific ad hoc working group involving the interested parties referred to in Article 15 and the competent bodies
referred to in Article 14 will be established within the EUEB for the development of eco-label criteria for each
product group.

(b) Interested parties will be involved in the process of identifying and selecting key environmental aspects, and

especially in the following phases:

(i) feasibility and market study;

(ii) life cycle considerations;

(iii) improvement analysis;

(iv) proposal of the criteria.

All reasonable efforts will be made to achieve a consensus throughout the process, while aiming at high levels of
environmental protection.

A working paper summarising the main findings of each phase will be issued and distributed in good time to the
participants before the meeting of the ad hoc working group.

2. Open consultation and transparency

(a) A final report containing the main results will be issued and published. Interim documents reflecting the results of
the different stages of work will be made available to those interested and comments on them will be considered.

(b) An open consultation on the content of the report will be carried out. A period of at least 60 days for the
submission of comments on the draft criteria will be allowed before submission of the criteria to the committee,
according to the procedure established by Article 17. Any observations received will be taken into consideration.
On request,

information on the follow-up to the comments will be provided.

(c) The report will

include an executive summary and Annexes with detailed inventory computations.

3. Confidentiality

The protection of confidential information provided by individuals, public organisations, private companies, interest
groups,

interested parties or other sources will be ensured.

L 237/12

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21.9.2000

ANNEX V

FEES

1. Application fees

An application for the award of an eco-label will be subject to payment of a fee relating to the costs of processing the
application. A minimum and a maximum fee will be fixed.

In the case of SMEs (1) and also product manufacturers as well as service providers of developing countries the
application fee will be reduced by at least 25 %.

2. Annual fees

Each applicant who has been awarded an eco-label will pay an annual fee for the use of the label to the competent
body which has awarded the label.

The period covered by the fee will begin with the date of the award of the eco-label to the applicant.

The annual fee will be calculated in relation to the annual volume of sales within the Community of the product
awarded the eco-label. A minimum and a maximum fee will be fixed.

In the case of SMEs (1) and also product manufacturers as well as service providers of developing countries, the annual
fees will be reduced by at least 25 %.

Applicants who have already received certification under EMAS or ISO 14001 may be granted additional reductions in
the annual fee.

Further fee reductions may, where appropriate, be granted pursuant to the provisions of Article 17.

3. Costs for testing and verification

Neither the application fee nor the annual fee will include any cost towards testing and verification which may be
necessary for products which are the subject of applications. Applicants will meet the cost of such testing and
verification themselves.

In drawing up the assessment and verification requirements the objective of keeping costs to a strict minimum must be
observed. This is particularly important in order to facilitate participation by SMEs in the Community eco-label system
and thus to contribute to the wider dissemination of the system.

(1) SMEs as defined in Commission Recommendation 96/280/EC (OJ L 107, 30.4.1996, p. 4).