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The Ecolabel. For a better, safer world.

Better, because the Ecolabel Flower is only awarded to goods and services which meet strict criteria limiting the impacts of consumer products on the environment.

Safer, because the criteria are devised to minimise harm to the environment – your environment.

The criteria apply to every stage of the product's life, from manufacture through to disposal, and cover every impact which is relevant to a specific type of product, such as the natural resources, energy, water and chemicals used in manufacturing, through to recycling, so:

Ecolabelled detergents and cleaning products achieve high levels of biodegradability;
Ecolabelled tissue papers only use recycled fibres, or fibres from sustainably managed forests;
Ecolabelled textiles comply with tight controls on the dyes and other chemicals used in production.

Products with the Ecolabel are independently assessed to prove that they are greener, and that they perform as well as other leading brands. The Ecolabel is backed by all EU Governments, and managed by Defra with the assistance of UK Ecolabel Delivery (a partnership of TUV NEL Ltd and Oakdene Hollins Ltd). So the Ecolabel is special. You won't find it on every product, but the Flower is growing, not only in Europe, but on products from around the world.

The Ecolabel is evolving. The European Commission has announced plans for the Ecolabel to deliver more environmental benefits and greater advantages for participants.

For Ecolabelled products available in the UK, search the European Commission's online catalogue.

For manufacturers and retailers providing a quality product which offers value for money, the Ecolabel can enhance its appeal and help it to stand out in the market.

For consumers, the Ecolabel provides an assurance that the company cares about the environment you live in, and so cares about you.

These pages explain more about the Ecolabel, why businesses should consider applying for it, and why consumers can rely on it.

If the product you make isn’t covered by the Ecolabel, our guidance note, Pitching Green (PDF 334 KB) - updated October 2008 - offers advice about other options for promoting and sourcing green products.

And for information on other environmental labels, see Defra’s pages on green labels and claims.

Marketing your product

Ecolabel

The Ecolabel. For a better, safer world.

See also