The EU Ecolabel, a voluntary scheme that allows products to demonstrate their good environmental performance by reducing their environmental footprint throughout their life cycle – as verified by a third party – will now apply to all cosmetic and pet care products.
The ecological criteria that these products will have to meet in order to be eligible for the label have been formally adopted by the European Commission, said the EU institution on Monday 25 October.
Until now, the requirements for awarding the EU Eco-label to cosmetics covered a limited range of products, namely those that could be rinsed off. The criteria will now apply to all cosmetics as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.
The updated rules include ‘leave-on’ cosmetics, such as creams, oils, skin care lotions, deodorants and antiperspirants, sunscreens as well as hairstyling and make-up products.
In the animal care sector, an EU eco-label can now be awarded to rinse-off products.
In a statement, EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius “encouraged companies to claim the EU Eco-label and take advantage of its undisputed reputation”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)