European Union Ecolabel

The EU Ecolabel is the European Union’s official voluntary environmental labelling scheme for goods and services. It recognises manufacturers and service providers that meet stringent environmental requirements. Established in 1992, the EU Ecolabel is recognised in European and international markets. It certifies products and services whose low environmental impact has been independently assessed and verified. To be awarded the EU Ecolabel, products and services must meet high environmental standards throughout their life cycle, from raw material extraction, production and distribution to sorting and recycling. The scheme also encourages companies to develop innovative, durable products that are easy to repair and sort for recycling.

The EU Ecolabel is governed by Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 and meets the International Organization for Standardization’s definition of a Type I environmental label under ISO 14024. This means that an independent third party awards the label on the basis of multiple criteria, indicating overall environmental superiority within a particular product category, based on an assessment of the product’s or service’s life cycle.

Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, each EU Member State designates an independent competent body to carry out the tasks laid down in the Regulation. In Lithuania, the Environmental Protection Agency has been designated as the competent body by Resolution No 1847 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 29 December 2010 on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel. The Environmental Protection Agency (the Agency) is the first point of contact for manufacturers seeking EU Ecolabel certification for their products.

Only products and services that meet strict environmental requirements may carry the EU Ecolabel. As of September 2026, 121,083 products and services available on the European Economic Area (EEA) market had been awarded the EU Ecolabel under 3,665 licences.

Benefits of the EU Ecolabel

For businesses

• Customers are more likely to choose EU Ecolabel products. Products and services bearing the label meet stringent environmental criteria, helping consumers to trust and choose sustainable, reliable products.
• The EU Ecolabel demonstrates that a company takes care to protect the environment when manufacturing its products.
• Digital user manuals are available for many product groups, making it easier to prepare and submit an application to the competent body.
• Reduced EU Ecolabel fees are available for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. These reductions can lower the cost of applying for the label.
• The EU Ecolabel is recognised in all EU Member States and internationally.

Read more about the benefits for businesses on the European Commission’s website.

For consumers

• A wide range of sustainable products, backed by a reliable EU environmental certification methodology.
• Lower environmental impact. EU Ecolabel products meet strict environmental criteria, ensuring high quality and a lower environmental impact than comparable products on the market.
• Trust. The European Commission, together with experts and stakeholder groups, regularly reviews and updates the criteria for different product groups to ensure their reliability and sustainability. The process is transparent and open to stakeholders.
• The entire product life cycle is taken into account, and strict restrictions apply to chemicals used in products.
• High-quality, socially responsible products.

Read more about the benefits for consumers on the European Commission’s website.

EU Ecolabel criteria

The European Commission develops, reviews and updates the environmental criteria and the methods used to establish them for awarding the EU Ecolabel to different product groups. The criteria are based on products’ environmental performance, taking account of the EU’s latest strategic environmental objectives. They are established on a scientific basis and consider the entire product life cycle, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010.

The Agency awards the EU Ecolabel to your products after assessing your application. Before applying, we recommend checking carefully that your products meet the environmental criteria for the relevant product group.

The table below lists the EU Ecolabel product and service groups, the current expiry dates of their criteria, the Decisions establishing those criteria, and the latest relevant validity extensions or amendments. For the full set of amendments and corrections, consult the latest consolidated text available through EUR-Lex.

Product groups and criteria

Applying for the EU Ecolabel

Who can apply

Manufacturers, importers, service providers, wholesalers and retailers may apply for the EU Ecolabel for goods and services that meet the environmental criteria adopted by the European Commission for the relevant product group. Retailers may apply for products marketed under a name other than that of the manufacturer.

Before submitting an application, please make sure that the products for which you are seeking the EU Ecolabel meet the criteria for the relevant product group. We recommend using the European Commission’s user manuals when preparing your application. See the section on EU Ecolabel user manuals below.

Under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, applicants must follow these rules when applying to the competent body, the Environmental Protection Agency:

• If a product originates in a single Member State, submit the application to the competent body of that Member State. In Lithuania, this is the Environmental Protection Agency.
• If a product originates in several Member States, submit the application to the competent body of one of those Member States.
• If a product originates outside the EU, submit the application to a competent body in a Member State where the product is marketed.
• Only products that meet the applicable EU Ecolabel criteria and have been authorised to use the label may carry it.

Applications must include the applicant’s full contact details, the relevant product group, a detailed product description and any other information requested by the competent body. All supporting documents specified in the relevant Commission measure establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group must be submitted with the application.

First time applications

Required documents

• A free-form application on company letterhead requesting the award of the EU Ecolabel, with a list of the products and the applicable environmental criteria. The application must be clearly presented and include accurate company contact details.
• Documents demonstrating that the products meet the environmental criteria adopted by the European Commission. These must cover pollutants, raw materials, resources used, hazardous substances and other substances used in production, and waste management. Examples include safety data sheets (SDS), declarations from chemical suppliers and other supporting documents.
• Proof of payment of the state fee, such as a copy of the payment receipt. The payment code is 5775.
• Test reports from accredited laboratories.
• A copy of the company registration certificate.
• Examples of product labels showing the EU Ecolabel.

Under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the competent body checks whether the documentation is complete within two months of receiving the application. If the applicant fails to provide all the required documents within six months of being notified that documents are missing, the competent body may reject the application.

Under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the competent body assigns a registration number to a product if it meets the EU Ecolabel criteria and assessment requirements. Following a positive decision to award the EU Ecolabel to the products listed in the application, the Agency concludes a contract with each applicant. The contract, based on the standard form in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, sets out the conditions for using the EU Ecolabel, including provisions on authorisation to use it and the grounds for withdrawing that authorisation.

Other application cases

Adding new products to an existing contract

Submit a free-form application to the Agency on company letterhead, listing the products to be added to the existing contract, the applicable criteria and the names of products with an equivalent composition. The application must be clearly presented and include the applicant’s full contact details, the relevant product group, a detailed product description and any other information requested by the competent body.

The same application assessment and supplementary document deadlines apply as for first-time applications. The Agency notifies the applicant of its decision in writing through an addendum to the contract, signed by both parties. No state fee is charged for an application to authorise the use of the EU Ecolabel for new product names or products with the same composition as products that have already been awarded the EU Ecolabel.

Changes to product composition or packaging specifications

Under point 1.3 of Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, a new application is not required for changes to product characteristics that do not affect compliance with the criteria. However, the licence holder must notify the competent body of such changes by registered letter. The competent body may carry out appropriate checks. For example, the Agency must be informed of changes to the packaging volume of a product that has been awarded the EU Ecolabel.

Fees and charges

A one-off application processing fee and an annual fee are payable to the competent body administering EU Ecolabel applications.

Under Resolution No 1458 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 15 December 2000 approving the List of Specific State Fees and the Rules for the Payment and Refund of State Fees, the following amounts apply according to company size.

Application processing fee

The following state fees apply to the examination of an application for the EU Ecolabel for the relevant product group.

EMAS is the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.

Annual fee

The following fees apply to the right to use the EU Ecolabel for one year for the relevant product group.

EU Ecolabel formats

Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 provides for three EU Ecolabel formats:

• The EU Ecolabel flower logo.
• An optional label with a text box allowing the licence holder to indicate the criteria for the relevant product group.
• The EU Ecolabel registration number, which must also appear on the product.

The logo, the optional label with a text box, and the registration number may be printed in two colours: PANTONE 347 green for the leaves and stem of the flower, the “Є” symbol, the website address and the EU acronym; and PANTONE 279 blue for all other elements, text and borders. Alternatively, they may be printed in black on a white background or in white on a black background.

Useful information

• The public EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue (ECAT) provides information on EU Ecolabel products by product group. You can also search for individual products by the licence number next to the EU Ecolabel logo, or by company or product name within a selected product category.
• Licence holders are responsible for registering their products in the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue. The list of products in the database may therefore not be exhaustive.
• Under Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel cannot currently be awarded to medicinal products for human or veterinary use, medical devices, or food and beverages.

Legislation

• Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel.
• Resolution No 1847 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 29 December 2010 on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel, designating the Environmental Protection Agency as the competent body responsible for carrying out the tasks laid down in the Regulation.
• The fees for examining an application for the EU Ecolabel and for the right to use it for one year for the relevant product group are set out in points 4.155 and 4.156 of Resolution No 1458 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 15 December 2000 approving the List of Specific State Fees and the Rules for the Payment and Refund of State Fees.

European Commission EU Ecolabel user manuals

Updated on 30 October 2026.

Use the general User Manual Part A together with the technical user manual for the relevant product group. The links below lead to official user manuals or publication pages containing the available application forms, declarations, checklists and calculation tools. Applicants should use the documents linked from the current European Commission product group pages and comply with the applicable criteria Decisions.

European Commission product groups and criteria

General information

• User Manual Part A General Information

Accommodation

• User manual for tourist accommodation

Personal and animal care products

• User manual for animal care products
• User manual for absorbent hygiene products
• User manual for cosmetic products
• User manual for reusable menstrual cups

Furniture

• User manual for furniture
• User manual for bed mattresses

Coverings

• User manual for wood, cork and bamboo-based floor coverings
• User manual for hard covering products

Paints and varnishes

• User manual for decorative paints, varnishes, and related products
• User manual for performance coatings and related products
• User manual for water-based aerosol spray paints

Clothing and textiles

• User manual for footwear
• User manual for textile products

Electronic equipment

• User manual for electronic displays

Paper

• User manual for graphic paper
• User manual for tissue paper and tissue products
• User manual for printed paper, stationery paper, and paper carrier bag products

Gardening

• User manual for growing media and soil improvers
• Additional application documents and soil improver calculation tools on the Commission product group page

Lubricants

• User manual for lubricants
• Current LuSC list and supporting documents on the Commission product group page

Cleaning

• User manual for dishwasher detergents
• User manual for hand dishwashing detergents
• User manual for hard surface cleaning products
• User manual for indoor cleaning services
• User manual for industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents
• User manual for industrial and institutional laundry detergents
• User manual for laundry detergents
• Current supporting forms for indoor cleaning services in the JRC document library

DID lists and calculation tools

For new applications for detergents, hard surface cleaning products, cosmetic products and animal care products, use the 2023 Detergent Ingredient Database (DID list) and the corresponding application forms and calculation sheets. For changes to existing licences already assessed using the 2016 DID list, either the 2016 or the 2023 forms and calculation sheets may be used, as specified in the relevant product group guidance.

The following PDF copies of the 2023 DID list are provided on the German EU Ecolabel website. Part B includes guidance for determining calculation parameters for substances not listed in Part A.

• DID list 2023 Part A
• DID list 2023 Part B
• Commission guidance and additional DID resources for cleaning products
• Commission guidance and additional DID resources for cosmetic and animal care products

EU Ecolabel logo guidelines

• EU Ecolabel Logo Guidelines 2025

European Commission branding resources