Commission updates EU Ecolabel criteria for computers, furniture and footwear

content provided by Eurocommerce – The European Commission has issued stricter criteria under the EU Ecolabel scheme for computers, furniture and footwear. Manufacturers of these products will have to comply with new guidelines.

Durability and labour conditions

Manufacturers will have to comply with new guidelines. focusing on environmental performance, product safety and fair labour standards if they want their products to carry the EU Ecolabel in future. As such, computer firms will need to consider energy efficiency and device upgrades during the design and manufacturing process, and ease of disassembly at end-of-life.

Furniture companies must focus on greater product durability and reparability, and undertake a life cycle assessment of the materials used, highlighting any hazardous compounds and residues which could contribute to indoor air pollution. Footwear manufacturers, on the other hand, will have to improve labour conditions at final assembly sites in line with recognised standards set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Once adopted by the Commission, the criteria will apply for six years. The EU Ecolabel scheme is voluntary, so only companies with products carrying the label or planning for the label will be affected by these revisions. 

For more information on the EU eco-label and its criteria, please click here.