EU Ecolabel: moving Europe towards a clean, circular and competitive economy since 1992

At first glance, the EU Ecolabel may seem modest, a simple green flower. Yet behind that symbol lies a robust framework driving measurable change. Since 1992, it has driven Europe towards a clean, competitive and circular economy. On one side it has guided industries towards cleaner production, while enabling consumers to make choices that align with both confidence and conscience.

At the EU Green Week 2025, where the circular economy was a central theme, the EU Ecolabel stood out as a concrete example of policy translating into market action thanks to consumer engagement. 

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, visited the stand and welcomed both the breadth of the EU Ecolabel product portfolio and the scheme’s growing visibility across the EU market.

Greener, not dearer

Over the years, the EU Ecolabel has demonstrated that sustainability strengthens competitiveness. In line with the priorities of the EU’s Competitiveness Compass, which include innovation, decarbonisation and resilience, it offers companies a strategic advantage. 

To get it, goods and services across 25 product groups must meet various independently verified environmental criteria. Broadly speaking, these include circularity aspects like reuse potential, waste reduction, recyclability and use of recycled materials.

By promoting resource and energy efficiency, moreover, the EU Ecolabel helps reduce costs, while enhancing product visibility and attracting consumers looking for trusted environmental performance. Companies that applied for the label consistently deliver high-quality goods at prices comparable to conventional alternatives. Sustainability and circularity become a real driver of growth!

From shoppers to shapers: restoring trust in circular choices

Consumer trust is a foundation of the green transition. Yet many people struggle to identify which products are genuinely sustainable and which claims are reliable. As Silvia Ferratini, EU Ecolabel coordinator at the European Commission, underlined during the EU Green Week, confusion and mistrust continue to hamper progress. According to the EU’s Consumer Conditions Survey, 62% of people see unclear information as a major barrier to buying green. 

Consumers need trusted guidance. The EU Ecolabel provides exactly that. It is a clear, reliable and science-based tool that allows consumers to make informed choices and supports companies in their efforts towards a clean and circular economy.

The EU Ecolabel does not simply follow new rules. It helps shape them. Independent, transparent and built on rigorous criteria, it sets a high benchmark for what sustainability and circularity should mean in practice. There is no fine print, no ambiguity. In a crowded field of green claims, it remains one of the few labels that genuinely delivers.

Looking ahead, the EU Ecolabel will be reinforced by the Empowering Consumers Directive, and the Green Claims Directive. Together, these initiatives aim to eliminate misleading claims and ensure that only credible labels remain on the market.

Find EU Ecolabel certified products through the ECAT catalogue, apply for the EU Ecolabel for your goods and services, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest EU Ecolabel developments! 

Discover some of the concrete examples of how the EU Ecolabel drives impact across sectors:

• Kroll: Italian cosmetics company bathes in pride with EU Ecolabel
• Chemi-Pharm:  Estonian firm expands market share in medical sector with EU-certified cosmetics
• Book your next trip on a certified accommodation: The EU Ecolabel Tourist Accommodation Catalogue