2002/272/EC: Commission Decision of 25 March 2002 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to hard floor-coverings (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2002) 1174)
Date: 2002-03-25
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European standard, eco-label, floor coverings, quality label, quality standard

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/13

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 25 March 2002

establishing the ecological criteria for

the award of

the Community eco-label

to hard

floor-coverings

(notified under document number C(2002) 1174)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2002/272/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the Euro-
pean Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a
revised Community eco-label award scheme (1), and in partic-
ular Article 4 and Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Under Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 the Community
eco-label may be awarded to a product possessing char-
acteristics which enable it to contribute significantly to
improvements in relation to key environmental aspects.

Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 provides that specific
eco-label criteria are to be established according to
product groups.

The measures provided for in this Decision are based on
the draft criteria developed by the European Union Eco-
labelling Board established under Article 13 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 1980/2000.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the committee instituted
by Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In order to be awarded the Community eco-label under Regula-
tion (EC) No 1980/2000, a hard floor covering must fall within
the product group ‘hard floor coverings’ as defined in Article 2

(1) OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 1.

of this Decision and must comply with the ecological criteria
set out in the Annex.

Article 2

The product group ‘hard floor-coverings’ shall comprise the
flooring use,
following hard products for internal/external
without any relevant
stones,
agglomerated stones, concrete paving units,
terrazzo tiles,
ceramic tiles and clay tiles.

function: natural

structural

Article 3

For administrative purposes the code number assigned to the
product group ‘hard floor-coverings’ shall be ‘021’.

Article 4

This Decision shall apply from 1 April 2002 until 31 March
2006. If on 31 March 2006, revised criteria for this product
group have not been adopted, this Decision shall apply until
31 March 2007.

Article 5

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 25 March 2002.

For the Commission

Margot WALLSTRÖM

Member of the Commission

L 94/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

ANNEX

FRAMEWORK

The aims of the criteria

These criteria aim in particular at promoting:

— the reduction of impacts on habitats and associated resources,

— the reduction of energy consumption,

— the reduction of discharges of toxic or otherwise polluting substances into the environment,

— the reduction of use of dangerous substances,

— information that will enable the consumer to use the product in an efficient way which minimises the whole

environmental

impact.

The criteria are set at levels that promote the labelling of hard floor-coverings that are produced with low environmental
impact.

Assessment and verification requirements

The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.

The product group is structured in the following way (CEN definitions are reported in brackets) and can be subdivided
into 2 major subgroups,

‘natural products’ and ‘processed products’ as follows.

Natural stones (CEN TC 246) are pieces of naturally occurring rock, and include marble, granite and other natural stones.
‘Other’ natural stones refers to natural stones whose technical characteristics are on the whole different from those of
marble and granite as defined by CEN/TC 246/N.237 prEN 12670 ‘Natural stones — Terminology’. Generally, such stones
do not readily take a mirror polish and are not always extracted by blocks: sandstone, quartzite, slate, tuff, schist.

The group of ‘processed stones’ can be divided into hardened and fired products. Hardened products are agglomerated
stones, concrete paving units and terrazzo tiles. Fired products are ceramic tiles and clay tiles.

Agglomerated Stones are industrial products manufactured from a mixture of aggregates, mainly from natural stone grit,
and a binder as defined by CEN/TC 246-229. The grit is normally composed of marble and granite quarry granulate and
the binder is made from artificial components as unsaturated polyester resin or hydraulic cement. This group includes also
artificial stones and compacted marble.

Concrete paving units are products for outer floor-coverings obtained by mixing sands, gravel, cement,
inorganic
pigments and additives, and vibro-compression as defined by CEN/TC 178. This group also includes concrete flags and
concrete tiles.

Terrazzo tiles are a suitably compacted element of uniform shape and thickness, which meets specific geometrical
requirements as defined by CEN/TC 229. The tiles are single or dual-layered. The single-layered are tiles completely made
of granulates or chipping of a suitable aggregate, embedded in grey and white cement and water. The dual-layered tiles are
terrazzo tiles made up of the first face or wear layer (with single-layered composition) and a second layer, known as
backing or base concrete layer, whose surface is not exposed during normal use and which may be partially removed.
Ceramic tiles are thin slabs from clays and/or other inorganic raw materials, such as feldspar and quartz as defined by
CEN/TC 67. They are usually shaped by extruding or pressing at room temperature, dried and subsequently fired at
temperatures sufficient to develop the required properties. Tiles can be glazed or unglazed, are non-combustible and
generally unaffected by light.

Clay tiles are units which satisfy certain shape and dimensional requirements, used for the surface course of pavements
and manufactured predominantly from clay or other materials, with or without additions as defined by CEN. The specific
weight of such tiles shall not exceed 40 kg/m².

Where so indicated, certain criteria apply specifically to one of the above subgroups. If no particular mention is given, the
criterion applies to all products. Details on calculation procedures are given in the Technical Appendix.

Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if their equivalence is accepted
by the competent body assessing the application.

Where possible, testing should be performed by appropriately accredited laboratories or laboratories that meet the general
requirements expressed in standard EN ISO 17025.

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/15

Where appropriate, competent bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifica-
tions.

The competent bodies are recommended to take into account the implementation of recognised environmental manage-
ment schemes, such as EMAS or ISO14001, when assessing applications and monitoring compliance with the
criteria (note:

it is not required to implement such management schemes).

CRITERIA

1. Raw materials extraction

1.1. Extraction management (for natural products only)

The overall extraction management score for natural stones shall be calculated as the total score based on a matrix of 9
main indicators (I). The final score results from the sum of the individual scores given to each indicator, after
multiplication by a corrective weighting (W) if appropriate (see Technical Appendix — A1 for calculation procedures).
Quarries shall reach a weighted score of at least 25 points. The score for each indicator shall be within the bounds
indicated by the exclusion hurdle (where one is given).

In addition, all of the following conditions shall be met:

— there shall be no interference with any deep confined waterbed (see Technical Appendix — A1),

— there shall be no interference with surface water-bodies with civil catching or springs, or if the water-body is included
in the Register of Protected Areas established by a Member State according to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European
Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy (1) or if the watercourse's average flow is >5 m3/s (see Technical Appendix — A1),

— there shall be a waste water recovery closed system for avoiding sawing waste dispersion to the environment and to
feed the recycling loop. Water shall be contained in close proximity to the place where it is used in quarrying
operations and then it shall be conveyed by closed pipes to the suitable processing plant. After clearing, water shall be
recycled.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the calculation of the weighted overall extraction management score,
and related data for each of the nine indicators (showing amongst others that each score is within the bounds of the
corresponding exclusion hurdle, if one is given), according to the following matrix and to the corresponding instructions
in the Technical Appendix — A1. The applicant shall also provide appropriate documentation and/or declarations that
prove compliance with all of the abovementioned criteria.

Indicator

Notes

Score

5
(excellent)

3
(good)

1
(sufficient)

Exclusion
hurdle

Relative
weights

> 95

95-85

84-80

< 80

W4

I.1. Water recy-
cling ratio

I.2. Rehabilitation
simultaneity
degree

See Technical Appendix — A3

m2 compromised area (quarry front + active dump)/m2 author-
ised area (%)

< 15

15-30

31-50

> 50

W1, W2,
W3

I.3. Block

recovery

commercial

m3
material (%)

blocks/m3

extracted Marbles

Granites

Others

> 40

> 50

40-30

29-20

50-40

39-30

< 20

< 30

—

> 20

20-15

14-10

< 10

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

L 94/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

Indicator

Notes

Score

5
(excellent)

3
(good)

1
(sufficient)

Exclusion
hurdle

Relative
weights

I.4. Natural
resource
appreciation

I.5. Working

conditions of
operating
equipment

m3 usable material/m3 extracted material Marbles
(%)

Granites

Others

> 60

> 60

> 50

60-45

44-35

60-45

44-35

50-35

34-25

Total number of worked hours/yearly
production (h/m3)

Wheel

loader

< 3,5

3,5-5,5

> 5,5

Excavator

< 2,5

2,5-3,0

> 3,0

< 35

< 35

< 25

—

—

—

—

I.6. Air quality

Yearly limit value measured along the border of quarry area
PM 10 suspended particles (µg/Nm3)

< 20

20-100

101-150

> 150

W1, W3

Testing method EN 12341

I.7. Water quality

Suspended solids (mg/l)

< 15

15-30

31-40

> 40

Testing method ISO 5667-17

W1, W2,
W3, W4

I.8. Noise

Measured along the border of quarry area (dB(A))

< 30

30-55

56-60

> 60

W1, W3

Testing method ISO 1996/1

I.9. Visual impact

See Technical Appendix — A1

0-10

> 10-20

> 20-30

> 30

W1, W3

List of weights (to be used only where specified):

W1. Nature conservation: If the quarry area is located in:

— notified sites of Community importance pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the

conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1), and its subsequent amendments,

— or in Natura 2000 network areas, composed of the special protection areas pursuant to Council Directive
79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2), and its subsequent amendments, and those
areas under Directive 92/43/EEC together,

— or in equivalent areas located outside the European Community that fall under the corresponding provisions of

the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity (3),

then W1 is relevant to the following indicators: rehabilitation simultaneity degree (I.2), air quality (I.6), water quality
(I.7), noise (I.8), visual impact (I.9). The same rules shall apply if the quarry is outside such sites but could have
significant effects on them, either individually or in combination with other plans and projects (4). The corre-
sponding specific weight is 0,3.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration accompanied by appropriate documentation to
show if the quarry area is located in or adjacent to sites of Community importance pursuant to the Directives
92/43/EEC and 79/409/EEC, as detailed above. The sites forming the Natura 2000 network areas are listed and
reported on maps drawn up by the Member States. In areas outside the European Community, the applicant shall
provide a declaration accompanied by appropriate documentation to show if the quarry area is located in or
adjacent to protected areas as determined under the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity 1992.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 309, 13.12.1993, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992,

in particular Article 6.

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/17

W2. Soil protection: for rehabilitation simultaneity degree (I.2) and water quality (I.7) indicators, three different values of

weights are considered, as a function of land use potentialities (see Technical Appendix — A1 for details):

Soil protection

Classes I — II

Classes III — IV — V

Classes VI — VII — VIII

Weight

0,3

0,5

0,8

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation, including a map, of the land
capability classification of the quarry site.

W3. Population density of settlements which lie within a 5 km radius (distance) from the quarry site: rehabilitation
simultaneity degree (I.2), air quality (I.6), water quality (I.7) and noise (I.8), visual impact (I.9) indicators are weighted
in function of three density ranges:

Population density

> 100 hab/km2

20 to 100 hab/km2

< 20 hab/km2

Weight

0,5 (0,6)

0,7 (0,84)

0,9

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a map and appropriate documentation to verify the population
density of settlements lying within 5 km radius (distance) from the quarry border (authorised area). In the case of
existing quarries and expanding settlements in the area concerned, the weight factor indicated in brackets shall be
used. This does not refer to major extensions of the already authorised area of such quarries (>75 %).

W4. If the quarry interferes with surface water-bodies (average flow <5 m3/s) there is a weight of 0,5 on both the

indicators about water recycling ratio (I.1) and water quality (I.7).

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation to show whether or not there is
any interference between the quarry and the surface water-body.

1.2. Extraction management (for processed products only)

The raw materials used in the production of processed hard floor-coverings shall comply with the following requirements
for the related extraction activities:

Parameter

Hurdle (to be passed)

Extraction activity project and environmental recovery

A technical report including a statement of the applicant is
required to demonstrate that the extraction activity and the
environmental recovery are in full compliance with both
Directive 92/43/EEC (habitats) and Directive 79/409/EEC
(birds), and their subsequent amendments.

In areas outside the European Community, a similar tech-
nical report is required to demonstrate compliance with
the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and
knowledge of the national biodiversity strategy and action
plans if available.

Visual impact

See Technical Appendix — A1

X % ≤ 30

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the related data and documents including a map of the area.

2. Raw materials selection (for all flooring products)

No substances or preparations that are assigned, or may be assigned at the time of application, any of the following risk
phrases (or combinations thereof):

R45 (may cause cancer);

R46 (may cause heritable genetic damage);

L 94/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

R50 (very toxic to aquatic organisms);

R51 (toxic to aquatic organisms);

R52 (harmful to aquatic organisms);

R53 (may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment);

R60 (may impair fertility);

R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child);

as laid down in Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (1), and its
subsequent amendments,

may be added to the raw materials.

Due to the environmental advantages of the recycling of materials, these criteria do not apply to the quota of closed-loop
recycled materials used by the process and as defined in Appendix A2.

Where lead, cadmium and antimony (or any of their compounds) are used in the additives, their content shall not exceed
the following specific limits:

Parameter

Hurdle (% in weight of the glazes)

Lead

Cadmium

Antimony

0,5

0,1

0,25

No asbestos shall be present in the raw materials used for natural and processed products.

The use of polyester resins in the production shall be limited by 10 % of the total weight of raw materials.

Assessment and verification: in terms of chemical and mineralogical analysis, the raw material formulation shall be provided
by the applicant together with a declaration of compliance with the abovementioned criteria.

3. Finishing operations (for natural products only)

Finishing operations on natural products shall be made according to the following requirements:

Parameter

Particulate emission to air

Styrene emission to air

Water recycling ratio

Suspended solid emission
to water

Cd emission to water

Cr(VI) emission to water

Fe emission to water

Pb emission to water

(1) OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1.

Hurdle (to pass)

PM10 < 150 µg/Nm3

< 210 mg/Nm3

< 40 mg/l

< 0,015 mg/l

< 0,15 mg/l

< 1,5 mg/l

< 0,15 mg/l

Test method

EN 12341

Technical
Appendix — A3

ISO 5667-17

ISO 8288

ISO 11083

ISO 6332

ISO 8288

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/19

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the corresponding analysis and test reports for each emission
parameter measured at all emission points. Where no test method is specified, or is mentioned as being for use in
verification or monitoring, competent bodies should rely as appropriate on declarations and documentation provided by
the applicant and/or independent verifications.

4. Production process (for processed products only)

4.1. Energy consumption

The energy consumption shall be calculated as process energy requirement (PER) for agglomerated stones and terrazzo
tiles or as energy requirement for firing (ERF) for ceramic tiles and clay tiles. Note: all the hurdles are expressed in MJ per
square metre of final product ready to be sold. This criterion does not apply to concrete paving units or to the firing stage
for tracery (decoration).

A. P r o c e s s e n e r g y r e q u i r e m e n t

( P E R )

l i m i t

The process energy requirement (PER) for agglomerated stones and terrazzo tiles manufacturing processes shall not
exceed:

Agglomerated stones

Terrazzo tiles

Hurdle (MJ/m2)

Test method

100

60

Technical Appendix — A4

Technical Appendix — A4

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall calculate the PER according to the Technical Appendix — A4 instructions
and provide the related results and supporting documentation.

B. E n e r g y r e q u i r e m e n t

f o r

f i r i n g ( E R F )

l i m i t

The energy requirement for firing (ERF) stages for ceramic tiles and clay tiles shall not exceed:

Ceramic tiles
(specific weight ≤ 19 kg/m2)

Ceramic tiles
(specific weight > 19 kg/m2)

Clay tiles
(specific weight ≤ 40 kg/m2)

Hurdle (MJ/m2)

Test method

50

70

60

Technical Appendix — A4

Technical Appendix — A4

Technical Appendix — A4

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall calculate the ERF according to the Technical Appendix — A4 instructions
and provide the related results and supporting documentation.

4.2. Water use

The waste water produced by the processes included in the production chain shall reach a recycling ratio of at least 90 %.
The recycling ratio shall be calculated as the ratio between the waste water recycled, internally or externally at the plant,
and the total water that leaves the process, as defined in the Technical Appendix — A3.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the calculation of the recycling ratio including raw data on total
waste water produced, water recycled and the quantity and source of virgin water used in the process.

L 94/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

4.3. Emissions to air

A g g l o m e r a t e d s t o n e s

The emissions to air for the following parameters for the whole manufacturing process shall not exceed:

Parameter

Particulates

NO

x

SO2

Styrene

Hurdle (mg/m2)

300

1 200

850

2 000

Test method

ISO 9096

ISO 11564

ISO 7935

—

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports for each emission
parameter mentioned above, following the indications of the Technical Appendix — A5. Where no testing method is
specified, or is mentioned as being for use in verification or monitoring, competent bodies should rely, as appropriate, on
declarations and documentation provided by the applicant and/or independent verifications.

C e r a m i c t i l e s

The total emissions to air of particulates for pressing, glazing and spray drying (‘cold emissions’) shall not exceed 5 g/m2.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports, following the indica-
tions of the Technical Appendix — A5.

The emissions to air for the firing stage only shall not exceed:

Parameter

Particulates

F

NO

x

SO

2

Hurdle (mg/m2)

200

200

2 500

1 500

Test method

ISO 9096

ISO/CD 15713

ISO 11564

ISO 7935

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports for each emission
parameter mentioned above, following the indications of the Technical Appendix — A5.

C l a y t i l e s

The emissions to air for the following parameters for the clay tiles' firing stage shall not exceed:

Parameter

Particulates

F

NO

x

SO

2

Hurdle (mg/m2)

250

200

3 000

2 000

Test method

ISO 9096

ISO/CD 15713

ISO 11564

ISO 7935

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports for each emission
parameter mentioned above, following the indications of the Technical Appendix — A5.

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/21

T e r r a z z o t i l e s a n d c o n c r e t e p a v i n g u n i t s

The emissions to air for the following parameters for the whole manufacturing process shall not exceed:

Parameter

Particulates

NO

x

SO

2

Hurdle (mg/m2)

300

2 000

1 500

Test method

ISO 9096

ISO 11564

ISO 7935

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports for each emission
parameter mentioned above, following the indications of the Technical Appendix — A5.

4.4. Emissions to water

After waste water treatment, whether on-site or off-site, the following parameters shall not exceed the following limits:

Suspended solid emission to water

40 mg/l

ISO 5667-17

Cd emission to water

Cr(VI) emission to water

Fe emission to water

Pb emission to water

0,015 mg/l

ISO 8288

0,15 mg/l

1,5 mg/l

0,15 mg/l

ISO 11083

ISO 6332

ISO 8288

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide appropriate documentation and test reports showing compliance
with this criterion.

4.5. Cement

The use of raw materials for cement production shall be consistent with extraction management for processed products
requirements (Criterion 1.2).

Those products that use cement in the production process shall provide the following information:

— cement included in any product shall be produced using not more than 3 800 MJ/t of process energy requirement

(PER), calculated as explained in the Technical Appendix — A4,

— the cement included in any product shall be produced respecting the following air emission limits:

Parameter

Hurdle (g/t)

Dust

SO

2

NO

x

65

350

900

Test method

ISO 9096

ISO 11632

ISO 11564

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the relevant test reports and documentation related to the PER and
the air emissions deriving from the cement production.

5. Waste management

All plants involved in the production of the product shall have a system for handling the waste and residual products
deriving from the production of the product. The system shall be documented and explained in the application and shall
at least include information on the following three items:

— procedures for separating and using recyclable materials from the waste stream,

— procedures for recovering materials for other uses,

— procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous waste.

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide appropriate documentation.

L 94/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

5.1. Recovery of waste (for processed products only)

At least 70 % (by weight) of the total waste generated by the process or the processes shall be recovered according to the
general terms and definitions established by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 amending Directive
75/442/EEC on waste (1).

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation based on, for example, mass balance
sheets and/or environmental reporting systems showing the rates of recovery achieved whether externally or internally,
for example, by means of recycling, re-use or reclamation/regeneration.

6. Use phase

6.1. Release of dangerous substances (glazed tiles only)

In order to control the potential release of dangerous substances in the use phase and at the end of the glazed tile's life,
the products shall be verified according to the EN ISO 10545-15 test. The following limits shall not be exceeded:

Parameter

Hurdle (mg/m2)

Pb

Cd

80

7

Testing method

ISO 10545-15

ISO 10545-15

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide an analysis and test reports with regard to the emission parameters
mentioned above. This shall include a declaration of conformity of the product with the requirements of Council Directive
89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 (2) on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the
Member States relating to construction products and with relevant harmonised standards created by CEN once published
in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

7. Fitness for use

The product shall be fit for use. This evidence may include data from appropriate ISO, CEN or equivalent test methods,
such as national or in-house test procedures.

Assessment and verification: details of the test procedures and results shall be provided, together with a declaration that the
product is fit for use based on all other information about the best application by the end-user. According to Directive
89/106/EEC a product is presumed to be fit for use if it conforms to a harmonised standard, a European technical
approval or a non-harmonised technical specification recognised at Community level. The EC conformity mark ‘CE’ for
construction products provides producers with an attestation of conformity easily recognisable and may be considered as
sufficient in this context.

8. Consumer information

The product shall be sold with relevant user information, which provides advice on the product's proper and best general
and technical use as well as its maintenance. It shall bear the following information on the packaging and/or on
documentation accompanying the product:

(a)

information that the product has been awarded the EU Eco-label together with a brief yet specific explanation as to
what this means in addition to the general

information provided by box 2 of the logo;

(b) recommendations for the use and maintenance of the product. This information should highlight all relevant
instructions particularly referring to the maintenance and use of outdoor products. As appropriate, reference should
be made to the features of the product's use under difficult climatic or other conditions,
frost
resistance/water absorption, stain resistance, resistance to chemicals, necessary preparation of the underlying surface,
cleaning instructions and recommended types of cleaning agents and cleaning intervals. The information should also
include any possible indication on the product's potential life expectancy in technical terms, either as an average or as
a range value;

for example,

(c) an indication of the route of recycling or disposal (explanation in order to give the consumer information about the

high possible performance of such a product);

(d) information on the EU Eco-label and its related product groups, including the following text (or equivalent): ‘for more

information visit the EU Eco-label website: http://europa.eu.int/ecolabel’.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a sample of the packaging and/or texts enclosed.

(1) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.
(2) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12.

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/23

9. Information appearing on the ECO-label

Box 2 of the Eco-label shall contain the following text:

Natural products:

— reduced impact of extraction on habitats and natural resources,

— limited emission from finishing operations,

— improved consumer information and waste management.

Processed products:

— reduced energy consumption of production processes,

— reduced emissions to air and water,

— improved consumer information and waste management.

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a sample of the packaging and/or texts enclosed.

TECHNICAL APPENDIX

The applicant shall provide all the required information calculated, measured or tested for the period immediately before
the application. Measurements shall be representative for the respective series of testing and it should be consistent for all
parts of the application as appropriate.

A1. Raw material extraction — indicators and weights definitions

Confined waterbed

The expression ‘confined waterbed’

identifies an artesian waterbed.

Average flow of the surface water-bodies

The average flow of the watercourse that interferes with the quarry shall be calculated taking into account the authorised
area of the considered quarry. The calculation shall be made multiplying the section of the water body by the velocity of
the water. The values shall be representative of at least 12 months.

Indicator description

I . 1 . W a t e r

r e c y c l i n g r a t i o

See A3.

I . 2 . R e h a b i l i t a t i o n s i m u l t a n e i t y d e g r e e

The calculation of I.2 consists of the measurement of the compromised area, which includes quarry front and active dump
areas, and of the authorised area. These areas should be measured during operating activities.

I . 3 . B l o c k s r e c o v e r y

The calculation of I.3 consists of the evaluation of commercial blocks and of the total volume yearly excavated.
Commercial blocks (according to the rough block definition in CEN/TC 246/N.237 prEN 12670 ‘Natural stones —
Terminology’) refers to the basis of utilisable stone consisting of rock from quarries suitable for further processing in
order to obtain slabs or other architectural

items.

I . 4 . N a t u r a l

r e s o u r c e a p p r e c i a t i o n

The calculation of I.4 consists of the evaluation of the usable material and of the total volume extracted yearly. Usable
material refers to all the volume which is not destined for dumps: for example commercial blocks, aggregate materials and
everything else suitable for further processing and use.

I . 5 . W o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s o f o p e r a t i n g e q u i p m e n t

The calculation of I.5 consists of the evaluation of the total number of hours worked by a machine for productive
activities and its division by the yearly production (m3) of usable material. Usable material refers to all the volume which
is not destined to dumps: for example commercial blocks, aggregate materials and everything else suitable for further
appreciation. If more than one excavator or wheel loader is present in the quarry, the highest number of worked hours
shall be taken into consideration.

L 94/24

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

I . 6 . A i r q u a l i t y

This indicator is described in Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air (1). The calculation of I.6 consists of
the measurement, along the border of quarry area, of PM 10 suspended particles based on the specific requirements of the
test method and the general provisions of the Council Directive (PM 10 are defined in Article 2(11)). The test method is
defined in EN 12341.

I . 7 . W a t e r q u a l i t y

This indicator considers the total emissions of suspended solids after treatment on surface water flowing out of the quarry
site. The calculation of I.7 consists of the measurement of total suspended solids using the test method reported in ISO
5667-17.

I . 8 . N o i s e

This indicator considers the noise level recorded along the border of the quarry area. Non impulsive noises are to be
measured. The calculation of I.8 consists in the measurement of the noise using the test method reported in ISO 1996-1.

I . 9 . V i s u a l

i m p a c t

The calculation of visual impact lies in tracing cross sections passing through the quarry front and other external ‘visual
points’, which are important to determine the visual impact (for example either from nearby towns or from frequented
places or major roads, etc.). The calculation of the final score, measured as a percentage, shall be taken from the highest
value of originally calculated values (worst case situation). A short explanation for the finally chosen ‘visual point’ should
be submitted to the Competent Body. From each visual point (P), the ‘bottom radius’ is traced, tangent to the topographic
surface and intercepting the lowest point of the ‘visible quarry area’. The visible quarry area is regarded as the area where
the excavation is carried out or where there is an active dump. Already rehabilitated areas (both in front area and dumps)
need not be considered. From the same visual point a second radius (called ‘top radius’) is traced, intercepting the highest
point of the quarry front. The top radius and bottom radius allow the identification on the section of the quarry of the
limits of the height of the visible front (the vertical distance from top to bottom radius matching the front). The
calculation could be made on the basis of the quarry project. These geometric data are put into the following formula and
the result is the quotient of visual

impact of the quarry affecting a specific visual point.

where (Figure A1):
h = vertical height of front visible from P visual point (in meters);
L = horizontal distance between the worst P and the front (in meters);
tan 30° = tangent of the average angle of the human eye vision cone;
x % = percent of visual

impact.

The term h2 represents the base surface of the quarry visibility cone, while the term (L tan 30°)2 represents the base
surface of the average visual cone of human eye.

Figure A1: Graphical definition of the visual

impact indicator

(1) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999, p. 41.

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/25

The calculation of the score shall consider the highest value among the calculated values.

Weight description

W 2 . S o i l p r o t e c t i o n / l a n d c a p a b i l i t y c l a s s i f i c a t i o n

According to the European Soil Bureau's indication, land is graded on the basis of its potentialities and the severity of its
limitations for crop growth into eight capability classes. An indicative description of the classes is as follows:

— Class I soils have slight limitations that restrict their use,

— Class II soils have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require moderate conservation practices,

— Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require special conservation practices, or both,

— Class IV soils have very severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require very careful management, or

both,

— Class V soils have little or no hazard of erosion but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their use

mainly to pasture, range, forestland, or wildlife food and cover,

— Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuited to cultivation and that limit their use mainly

to pasture, range, forestland, or wildlife food and cover,

— Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make them unsuited to cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to

grazing, forestland, or wildlife,

— Class VIII soils and miscellaneous areas have limitations that preclude their use for commercial plant production and

limit their use to recreation, wildlife, or water supply or for aesthetic purposes.

A2. Raw materials selection

A closed-loop recycled material is defined as a material that is extracted from the production system and is returned to the
same production system, eventually after a recycling treatment.

A3. Water recycling ratio

The calculation of the water recycling ratio shall be consistent with the following formula based on the flows highlighted
in Figure A2.

L 94/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.4.2002

Figure A2: Water flow scheme that shall be used to calculate Water Recycling Ratio (1)

A4. Energy consumption calculation (PER, ERF)

When providing a calculation of process energy requirement (PER) or energy requirement for firing (ERF), the correct
energy carriers shall be taken into account for the entire plant or for the firing stage only. Gross calorific values (high heat
value) of fuels shall be used to convert energy units to MJ (Table A1). In case of use of other fuels, the calorific value used
for the calculation shall be mentioned. Electricity means net imported electricity coming from the grid and internal
generation of electricity measured as electric power.

Evaluation of PER for agglomerated stone production shall consider all energy flows entering the production plant both as
fuels and electricity.

Evaluation of PER for terrazzo tiles production must consider all energy flows entering the production plant both as fuels
and electricity.

Evaluation of ERF for ceramic tile production shall consider all energy flows entering all the kilns as fuels for the firing
stage.

Evaluation of ERF for clay tile production shall consider all energy flows entering all the kilns as fuels for the firing stage.

Evaluation of PER for cement production shall consider all energy flows entering the production system both as fuels and
electricity.

Table A1: Table for calculation of PER or ERF (see text for explanations)

Production period

Day

From

To

Quantity (tons or m3)

Fuel

Quantity

Natural gas

Natural gas

Propane

Butane

(1) W means the waste water discharged into the environment.

Units

kg

Nm3

kg

kg

Conversion factor

Energy (MJ)

54,1

38,8

50,0

49,3

11.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 94/27

Production period

Day

From

To

Quantity (tons or m3)

Fuel

Quantity

Units

Conversion factor

Energy (MJ)

Kerosene

Gasoline

Diesel

Gas oil

Heavy fuel oil

Dry steam coal

Anthracite

Charcoal

Industrial coke

Electricity

kg

kg

kg

kg

kg

kg

kg

kg

kg

kWh

46,5

52,7

44,6

45,2

42,7

30,6

29,7

33,7

27,9

3,6

Total energy

Specific energy consumption (MJ/quantity) (1)

(1) Divide total energy (in grey) by quantity (in grey).

The air pollutant emission factors shall be calculated as follow:

A5. Emissions to air (for processed products only)

1.

2.

3.

the concentration in the exhaust gas emitted to the environment of each parameter considered in the tables shall be
calculated;

the measurements used for the calculation must be made following the testing methods indicated in the tables;

the samplings shall be representative of the considered production.