EU Ecolabel facts and figures

The number of EU Ecolabel licences keeps growing!

Since September 2023, there has been a consistent upward trend in the awarding of licences* and products, with most EU Ecolabel product groups experiencing growth. The number of current EU Ecolabel awarded licences and products is the highest ever registered so far. This increase reflects a sustained interest in eco-friendly products among businesses, consumers, and retailers.   

Compared to the figures from September 2023 there has been a notable increase in:

• The total number of awarded products (+6 837 products = +8%)
• The total number of awarded licences* (+ 159 licences = +6%)

* A licence refers to an EU Ecolabel contract encompassing one or several awarded products within the same product group.

Products awarded by product category

Highest growing product groups over the past 6 months (in terms of licences)

The leading product group in terms of awarded licences, remains Tourist accommodation services, with a total of 684 licences. During the last semester, it obtained an additional 85 new licences marking a +14% increase. Also, Cosmetic products, Printed paper, stationery paper and paper carrier bag products, and Furniture recorded high increments of +17, +14, +9 licences, respectively.

Licences and products per country

Most EU Ecolabel licences are awarded in Italy (17%), France (16%), Germany (16%), and Spain (13%). Similarly, the majority of products are awarded in Spain, (15%), Italy (15%), France (14%), and Germany (10%).

Licences and products per product group

Out of the total 2 743 licences, most remain to the following product groups: Tourist accommodation services (25%), Hard surface cleaning products (13%), and Tissue paper and tissue products (8%).

The most popular product groups in terms of number of products continue to be: Indoor and outdoor paints and varnishes (39%), Tissue paper and tissue products (17%), Textiles (10%), and Hard surface cleaning products (8%).

Most EU Ecolabel product groups have again witnessed an increase in the number of both licences and products.

Additional explanation on the evolution of selected product groups:

• In 2020, Electronic Displays (Decision (EU) 2020/1804) replaced the former product group Televisions.
• In 2021, Cosmetic products (Decision (EU) 2021/1870) replaced the former product group Rinse-off cosmetics.
• In 2022 onwards, Growing media and soil improvers (Decision (EU) 2022/1244) replaced the former product group Growing media, soil improvers and mulch.
• Printed paper, stationery paper and paper carrier bag products (Decision (EU) 2020/1803) includes the three former product groups Converted Paper, Newsprint paper and Printed Paper, which were merged in 2020.
• In 2023, new criteria were adopted for Absorbent hygiene products. This product group still includes licences and products adhering to the 2014 criteria (expires on 20/09/2024).