Certifications to European Ecolabel

The number of products (goods and services) certified by the EU Ecolabel EU has been growing - from 21,000 in 2010 to 83,500 in 2021, as shown in the Figure. This means, despite some dips recorded on three years, a four-fold increase (+398%). This is a promising trend in the development of business models towards the manufacture of more environmentally friendly and circular products.

Although not displayed in the graph, data on the number of Ecolabels is also available by Member State and by product group. Most licenses are awarded in Spain (21%), Italy (16%), France (10%) and Germany (9%). The product groups having the highest number of products Ecolabel award, as for data for 2022 (March) are paints and varnishes (39%), tissue paper and tissue products (17%), textiles (9%) and hard coverings (9%). Absorbent hygiene products, furniture, and indoor cleaning services showed the highest increments.

The European Ecolabel is the official EU label for environmental excellence. It reflects the environmental performance of products (goods and services), accounting for the potential environmental impacts from all stages of their life cycle (extraction, manufacture, distribution and disposal). While not all criteria of the EU Ecolabel are directly relevant to increased circularity (e.g. on toxicity), many indicate a more efficient use of resources, from design to waste management. Indeed, the Ecolabel also encourages companies to develop durable, easy to repair and recyclable products. As such, the EU Ecolabel is an indicator of the move towards placing in the market more environmentally-friendly, circular products.