Applying for the EU Ecolabel
Businesses from across the globe can apply for the EU Ecolabel for their product (good or service), provided it falls within one of the product groups for which EU Ecolabel criteria have been set, meets the relevant criteria, and is placed on the European Economic Area (EEA) market - comprising the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland.
Applications must be submitted to one EU Ecolabel Competent Body.
Following successful verification of the application file, the Competent Body grants an EU Ecolabel licence permitting the use of the EU Ecolabel logo on the certified product. The product is displayed in the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue (ECAT).
Apply now! Ready to get started? Follow the steps below!
Towards your EU Ecolabel certification
- Select your national EU Ecolabel Competent Body (depending on the EEA country of origin of your product) and set contact either via their national digital application system (when available) or via e-mail. For a product originating in several EEA countries or from outside the EEA, please consult the FAQ below.
- Pre-register your product in the online EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue (ECAT) by following the instructions provided in the ECAT User Manual. Note that your product will only be publicly displayed once your application has been approved by the Competent Body.
- Prepare your full application using guidance in the relevant User Manual for your product group. The application must demonstrate your product’s compliance with the relevant EU Ecolabel criteria. Depending on the product group, you may be required to provide declarations, supporting documents, data sheets, and test results.
- Submit your application to your Competent Body and pay the application fee. The duration of the application process depends on the completeness of your application file and your ability to demonstrate compliance with the EU Ecolabel criteria.
- After approval, display the EU Ecolabel logo on your product and start the promotion. Don’t forget to enter your product’s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) codes in ECAT to ensure the visibility in online retail-shops.
Operators such as producers, manufacturers, importers, service providers, and wholesalers who place products (goods or services) on the European Economic Area (EEA) market —comprising the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland—can apply for the EU Ecolabel for their products. Retailers may also apply for products marketed under their own brand name. Operators from outside EEA are welcome to apply if the product is sold in the EEA market.
- If your product originates in an EEA country, you should submit your application to the Competent Body of that country.
- If your product originates in several EEA countries (in the same form), you may submit your application to the Competent Body of any one of those countries.
- If your product originates outside the EEA, you should apply to a Competent Body in any Member State where you intend to place your product on the market.
The EU Ecolabel scheme currently covers a wide range of product groups (goods and services). To determine whether your product is eligible, carefully check the Commission Decision establishing the scope and the EU Ecolabel criteria available on each product group page.
On each product group page, you will find support tools for your application process such as the product group User Manual for applicants, a factsheet and a recorded webinar (when available).
If you have any further questions, please contact your national Competent Body for guidance.
Under normal circumstances, within two months of receiving an application, the Competent Body checks whether the application is complete and notifies the applicant accordingly. After this, the applicant has six months to complete the application as necessary. If the application is not completed on time, the Competent Body may reject the application.
Specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each EU Ecolabel criterion. Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show compliance with the criteria, these may originate from the applicant and/or their supplier(s), etc. as appropriate.
Competent Bodies should preferentially recognise attestations which are issued by bodies accredited in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard for testing and calibration laboratories, as well as verifications by bodies that are accredited in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard for bodies certifying products, processes and services.
Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if the Competent Body assessing the application accepts their equivalence. Discover more about testing methods. A list of accredited laboratories for most European countries is available on the European Accreditation Corporation’s website.
EU Ecolabel Fees
EU Ecolabel application fees are set by each Competent Body within the thresholds imposed by annex III of the EU Ecolabel Regulation. Special discounts on EU Ecolabel fees exist for SMEs, micro-enterprises, EMAS/ISO14001 registered companies and applicants from operators in developing countries. Please note that annual fees and inspection fees may also apply. Check out the fees related to your specific EU Ecolabel application: fees for Tourist accommodation services and for all other products.
Need for more information?
For procedural or technical enquiries on the application process: contact your national Competent Body.
For information on the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue (ECAT): ECAT user manual for applicants and licence holders, or EU Ecolabel Helpdesk. All licence holders are responsible for registering their product in ECAT to ensure licence traceability.
For general questions about the EU Ecolabel scheme: EU Ecolabel Helpdeskhelpdesk-eu-ecolabel
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