identification of elements for a future strategy for the ... · 20/03/2019 1 identification of...

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Identification of elements for a future

"Strategy for the EU Ecolabel"

EUEB meeting

March 13th 2019 - Brussels

Fabio Iraldo, Michele Barberio

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies

Siddharth Prakash, Roman Seidl

Oeko-Institut e.V.

Agenda

• Overview of project progress;

• Windows of opportunities and identification of future scenarios for the EU Ecolabel (Task 2);

- Recapitulation of Task 1 main results;

- Presentation of outcomes of stakeholders’ consultation (Task 4);

- Presentation of proposed scenarios for the EU Ecolabel (Task 2).

• Preliminary proposal for a monitoring system for the EU Ecolabel (Task 2);

• Preliminary proposal of criteria for the inclusion/discontinuation of product/service groups

for the EU Ecolabel (Task 3).

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Overview of project progress

Task 1 - Evidence gathering and market analysis for the identification of windows of opportunities for the EU Ecolabel

Task 4 – Stakeholder engagement and

consultation

Task 2 - Identification and assessment of scenarios for the EU Ecolabel and monitoring activities

Task 3 - Identification of product/service groups on which the EU Ecolabel should focus

Final Report with the identification of elements for a future "Strategy for the EU Ecolabel"

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Completed

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

“Windows of opportunities and identification of

future scenarios for the EU Ecolabel”

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Recapitulation of Task 1 main results

“Evidence gathering and analysis of the market

context for the identification of windows of

opportunities for the EU Ecolabel”

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Two main angles of analysis :

1. EU Ecolabel market context for the identification of the most relevant sectors in

terms of consumers’ demand ;

2. Environmental improvement potential for identification of the most relevant

sectors.

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TASK 1Evidence gathering and analysis of the market context for the

identification of windows of opportunities for the EU Ecolabel

Which windows of opportunities for the EU Ecolabel in

the transition towards a more circular economy ?

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For each of the identified sectors

A preliminary identification of potential product/service groups based on the:

• most representative products/services in each sector;

• attitude of consumers towards specific environmentally friendly

products/services;

• “Successful”* product/service groups under other ecolabelling schemes.

*NOTE: successful is intended here in terms of “number of products”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A LIST OF PRODUCTS/SERVICES ON WHICH THE EU

ECOLABEL SHOULD FOCUS ON WILL BE FINALIZED UNDER TASK 3 OF

THE PRESENT STUDY.



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While valorizing what is already successful under the EU Ecolabel… untapped potential

(broad list of potential products and services resulting from Task 1 ):

Sector level Product / service level (examples/most representative products)

Housing, construction

& buildings

Products: Houses (green houses), construction products, household appliances,

products for routine household maintenance, etc.

Services: construction services, green power supply

Mobility

Products: vehicles spare parts such as tires, products for cleaning and maintaining

transport equipment, small & light vehicles, bikes, e-bikes, etc.

Services: car sharing, bike sharing, public transport, taxi services; car cleaning

services, etc.

Food & beverages

Products: meat, fish, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages;

Services: food catering

Education, recreation &

culture

Equipment: audio-visual, photographic and information processing equipment, toys,

imaging items and equipment, gardens and pets ;

Services: events, meetings, etc.

Personal care /

cosmetics

Skin care and toiletries, haircare products, fragrances/perfumes and decorative

cosmetics, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.

Financial products Banking and insurance products



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Along with the proposed product/service categories, there are several points of

attention arising from Task 1 analysis :

• Diverse range of goods and services;

• Importance of services;

• Both consumable and durable products;

• Energy-using products relation with Ecodesign Directive and EU Energy

Labelling;

• Food and beverage products not covered at present, relation with EU

Organic Label;

• Relevance of products with health and personal well-being connotation;

• Products and services for GPP and B2B;

• Products and services covered by other national ecolabelling schemes (e.g.

construction products, cosmetics, etc.).

These issues have been used as discussion base for stakeholders’

consultation



Presentation of the outcomes from conducted

stakeholders’ consultation

(webinar + EUEB meeting + online survey)

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Stakeholders’ consultationTools and Stakeholders

TOOLS

• 2 webinars;

• Online survey;

• Participation to 3 meetings of the EU Ecolabelling Board (EUEB).

STAKEHOLDERS

• EU Ecolabel License Holders;

• EU Ecolabel Non-license Holders;

• Consumers (EU citizens);

• Retailers/Wholesalers;

• NGOs;

• EU Ecolabel Competent Bodies;

• The European Commission – Directorate General for the Environment (DG ENV) and

the other relevant DGs.

• Other…

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Stakeholders’ consultationActivities carried out

• 1st webinars – 05/10/2018

Presentation of the preliminary results of Task 1 and first preliminary questions about

options for developing scenarios for the EU Ecolabel.

• Participation to the EU Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) meeting - 21/11/2018

Presentation of the results of Task 1 and consultation on specific issues/questions

for fine-tuning the identification of EU Ecolabel scenarios to be described and

assessed.

• Online survey

- launched on the 31st January 2019;

- online consultation deadline: 3rd March 2019

NOTE: open public consultation on Product Policy Framework (EU Ecolabel relevant

part) will also be considered.

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Stakeholders’ consultationThe online consultation (1)

• Online consultation’s deadline is 3rd March. Only preliminary results now available;

NOTE: when drafting this presentation the online consultation was still ongoing. Results

will be updated by March 13.

• A total of 442 responses provided.

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17

35

110

51

73

143

23 25 27

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Academic /Research institution

Businessassociation

Company /Business

organization holdingone or several EUEcolabel licence(s)

Company /Business

organization notholding any EUEcolabel licence

Retailer/Wholesaler(holding or notholding an EU

Ecolabel licence)

Consumerorganisation

EU Citizen Non-governmentalorganisation

Public authority Other

Non exhaustive list of potential future EU Ecolabel product/service groups presented for online consultation

Housing

Household appliances bearing the EU Energy Label (e.g. washing machines, fridges, etc.)

Other household appliances (e.g. kettles, irons, etc.)

Products for household maintenance (e.g. wood oils, waxes & polishes, etc.)

Plastic waste bags

Solar photovoltaic modules, inverters and systems

Green power supply (e.g. electricity)

Laundry services

Construction & buildings

Buildings (e.g. residential and offices)

Construction products (e.g. doors, windows & other insulation materials, etc.)

Construction services (e.g. demolition services, waste management services, etc.)

Maintenance and repair services (e.g. heating maintenance, plumber, repair of appliances etc.)Mobility equipment and services

Vehicles’ spare parts (e.g. tires, etc.)

Car cleaning services

Small & light vehicles (e.g. bikes, etc.)

Car or bike sharing services

Taxi and delivery services

Public transport (e.g. bus, train, plane etc.)

Food & beverage products

Meat & processed meat

Fish & processed fish

Dairy products

Other processed food (e.g. pasta, coffee, etc.)

Non-alcoholic beverages (e.g. soft drinks, etc.)

Alcoholic beverages (e.g. wine, beer, etc.)

Food & catering servicesRestaurants and cafésVending machinesSupermarkets and food-retailEducation, recreation & culture productsToysSmartphones

Audio-visual, photographic and information processing equipment Imaging items and equipment (e.g. printers, cartridges, etc.)Gardening and pet products (e.g. plant care products, pet care products and accessories, etc.)Education, recreation & culture servicesEvents and meetingsSchool and nursery servicesPersonal care / cosmetics products

Leave on skin care products (e.g. creams, sunscreens, aftershave etc.).Cleansing products and make up removersLeave on haircare productsFragrances, perfumes and deodorantsMake up productsToothpaste and oral rinsesToothbrushesBaby care productsFinancial products

List developed basing on Task 1 results

and stakeholders’ feedback (webinar +

EUEB)

Stakeholders’ consultationThe online consultation (2)

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Stakeholders’ consultationIssues discussed

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1 Should the EU Ecolabel be awarded to a homogenous or heterogeneous group of products and services?

2 Should the EU Ecolabel focus mainly on consumable goods or on durable goods?

3 Should the EU Ecolabel focus mainly on products with a health connotation (direct and indirect)?

4 Should the EU Ecolabel cover more products and services relevant for Green Public Procurement?

5 Should the EU Ecolabel cover more B2B products and services?

6 Should the EU Ecolabel be extended to more services while focusing on circular economy aspects?

7Should the EU Ecolabel cover Ecodesign / EU Energy Label products?

E.g. household appliances, …

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How should the EU Ecolabel position itself in respect to other Type I ecolabels?

- Differentiate on the market?

- Cover the same successful product groups and seek better harmonisation?

9Should the EU Ecolabel focus more on construction & building?

e.g. building materials, …

10Should the EU Ecolabel cover more types of personal care products?

E.g. cosmetics, toothbrushes, …

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Should the EU Ecolabel cover food, feed and non-alcoholic beverages?

e.g. selected processed food (relevant from a life cycle point of view) products, namely dairy products, bread, non-

alcoholic beverages, processed fish food, …

12Should the EU Ecolabel cover recreation & culture?

e.g. meetings & events; toys …

13Should the EU Ecolabel cover mobility services?

e.g. car sharing, bike sharing, food delivery services, taxi …

14Should the EU Ecolabel cover mobility-related products?

e.g. small & light vehicles, spare parts, …

A set of issues agreed with the EC and used for stakeholders’ consultation

(webinar + EUEB + online survey)

Stakeholders’ consultationFeedback received and our recommendations (1)

Options

discussed

Stakeholders feedback

(webinar + EUEB)Online consultation Our recommendations

Should the EU

Ecolabel be

awarded to a

homogenous or

heterogeneous

group of

products and

services?

Heterogeneous portfolio

Motivations:

• EU Ecolabel market

awareness and visibility are

key factors for success.

• Need to cover as many

products and services as

possible;

• EU Ecolabel should identify

and consider/assess all the

existing environmental

improvement opportunities

across the different economic

sectors.

Wide agreement (over 80% or

responses) about the EU

Ecolabel covering a diverse

range of products/services.

Heterogeneous/diversified

approach to portfolio while

assuring:

adequate resources for

criteria development from

MSs and the EC;

adequate and extensive EU

Ecolabel marketing and

promotion initiatives from

both MSs and the EC;

a higher degree of

harmonization with strong

and well-established national

ecolabelling schemes;

a high degree of

coherence/collaboration with

the EU circular economy

policy and, particularly, with

the other product policy tools

(Energy Label, Ecodesign,

PEF, EU Organic Label, etc.).

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel focus

mainly on

consumable

goods or on

durable goods?

Both durables and

consumables

Motivations:

• Consumables offer a higher

visibility and

communication/marketing

advantage;

• Durables can support

emerging market demand for

reparability, upgradability,

etc.;

• Consumables: focus on

chemicals and on plastic /

plastic waste;

• Durables: better placed for

addressing circular economy

“core” aspects such as

durability and recyclability

and for supporting new

consumption patterns (e.g.

leasing services of goods).

Both durable and

consumables, with

consumables being preferred

mainly by EU Ecolabel License

Holders (over 60% of

responses).

Focus largely on consumable

goods, but without “closing the

door” to consumer durables.

Give priority to non-energy-

related durable products.

For energy related durable

products, that are covered by

the EU Ecodesign Directive and

EU Energy Labelling Directive,

focus on circular economy

aspects, such as durability,

repairability, re-use, recyclability,

hazardous substances etc., if

these aspects are not well

addressed yet.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel focus

mainly on

products with a

health

connotation

(direct and

indirect)?

Agree

Motivations:

• Well-being a major driver for

consumers’ purchasing

decision;

• EU Ecolabel guarantees

indeed a less negative

impact on health than

conventional products given

its strict criteria on hazardous

substances;

• the need to communicate this

clearly to consumers;

BUT: keep the EU Ecolabel a

label of ENVIRONMENTAL

excellence, including health-

related aspects (as indirect

benefits).

Health connotation not

standing out among

businesses’ responses:

• around 55% of agreeing

responses for EU Ecolabel

LH;

• Around 45% of agreeing

responses for Businesses not

holding any EU Ecolabel

license;

• but positively supported by

NGOs, public authorities,

experts, etc. (around 65%)

Further strengthening of those

successful existing EU Ecolabel

product groups related to

hygiene, personal care and well-

being for including mass market

consumables such as leave-on

cosmetics (make up products,

skin care products, fragrances,

perfumes, deodorants, etc.), oral

rinses, baby care products, but

also existing products in the

category “cleaning up”, such as

detergents, hard surface

cleaning products etc.

Additionally, persist with

products, such as paints,

varnishes, textiles/ footwear etc.

and include other products with

direct contact to and/or exposure

with consumers, such as toys,

pest control, etc.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

more products

and services

relevant for

Green Public

Procurement?

Agree

Motivation:

GPP, along with consumers’

demand, a primary strategic

leverage to increase the uptake

of the EU Ecolabel.

BUT:

preference should be given to

products and services

relevant for both end-

consumers and public

procurers

Wide agreement (around 80% of


Ecolabel covering more

products/services for GPP

(especially EU Ecolabel License

Holders and NGOs, public

authorities, experts, etc.).

Give priority to the development

of EU Ecolabel criteria for

products and services for which

both consumers’ and procurers

demand is high, for e.g.:• Construction products (e.g.

doors, windows & other insulation

materials, etc.);

• Paper products;

• Electronic products, such as

Multi-Function Displays, PCs,

coffee machines, hand driers,

water-saving taps, showers etc.

• Maintenance and repair services

(e.g. heating maintenance,

plumber, repair of appliances,

etc.);

• Gardening products;

• Food and catering services;

• Events and meetings;

• School and nursery services;

• Public transport services (e.g.

bus, tram, underground, train,

etc.);

• Sharing mobility services (e.g.

such as car sharing and bike

sharing), etc.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

more B2B

products and

services?

Disagree

Motivation:

EU Ecolabel should be kept a

label of environmental

excellence primarily aimed at

end-consumers.

Agreement (around 60% of


Ecolabel covering more

products/services for

business to business

(especially by businesses).

• “Business to business”

strategic considerations shall

be taken into account only

when a product or service

shows GPP and consumers’

relevance (e.g. construction

products).

• Leave out intermediate

products.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel be

extended to

more services

while focusing

on circular

economy

aspects?

Agree

Motivations:

• Strategic window of

opportunity to promote

business models enabling

more circular consumption

and production;

• Experience of national

ecolabelling schemes;

• Services with circular

economy potential such as

repairing services, buildings

refurbishment, leasing of

durable goods such as

household appliances,

textiles, toys, etc.;

• Possible synergies with

EMAS.

Agreement about services

(around 60%), particularly high

for NGOs, public authorities,

experts, etc.

Generalized high agreement

(strongly agree + agree over

80%) across all stakeholders’

categories for services such as:

• green power supply;

• laundry services;

• car cleaning services.

Consumers showing high

agreement also for:


• School and nursery services.

NGOs, public authorities, experts,

etc. showing high agreement also

for:


• School and nursery services;

• restaurants and cafés;

• food catering services;

• Supermarket and food retail.

Develop criteria for services:

• showing high or increasing

consumers’/public procurers’

demand (e.g. power supply,

laundry services, car cleaning

services, events and

meetings, school and nursery

services, etc.);

• In priority for which criteria

under other national

ecolabelling schemes exist

and are successful, such as

grocery stores, food catering

services, rental services,

events and meetings, etc.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

Ecodesign / EU

Energy Label

products?

E.g. household

appliances

Contrasting opinions

(CBs less enthusiastic than

NGOs and Trade organizations)

Motivations for disagreement

(slight majority):

• Ecodesign/Energy Labelling

products impacts are

dominated by energy

consumption in the use

phase;

• EU Ecolabel needs to clearly

stand out as multi-criteria

label of environmental

excellence;

Motivation for agreement:

• EU Ecolabel needs to

address core circular

economy aspects, such as

durability and reparability.

EU Ecolabel coverage of

Ecodesign products preferred

over Energy Label products.

• Consumers,

• EU Ecolabel License Holders

and

• Business not holding any EU

Ecolabel license

showing agreement for

household appliances,

including household appliances

bearing the EU Energy Label.

EU Ecolabel covers:

• Energy-related products not

covered by the EU Energy

Label;

• circular economy aspects,

such as durability, reparability,

re-use, recyclability,

hazardous substances, if not

addressed adequately by the

Ecodesign and Energy Label

Directives.

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Options

discussed



How should the

EU Ecolabel

position itself in

respect to other

Type I

ecolabels?

Differentiate on

the market?

Cover the same

successful

product groups

and seek better

harmonisation?

Harmonization

Motivations:

• EU Ecolabel is relevant for

companies located in

countries with strong

national/regional ecolabels;

• Need for bilateral and

“bidirectional” cooperation;

• Might help identifying priority

product groups for the

development of the scheme in

the next years;

• EU Ecolabel should pursue its

own market analysis and

assessment and develop

criteria for products and

services not yet covered by

other national/regional

ecolabelling schemes.

Wide preference for an EU

Ecolabel covering

products/services for which

no other ISO Type I

ecolabelling scheme exists.

This option is supported by all

stakeholders’ categories, but

especially by

• EU Ecolabel License Holders

(over 70%) and

• NGOs, public authorities,

experts, etc. (over 60%).

EU Ecolabel to pursue its own

market strategy, based on EU

level market demand and

environmental relevance.

While considering geographical

differences, different industry

features, etc., product groups that

are not so successful in the EU

Ecolabel and may be successful in

any of the established national

ecolabelling schemes, should

undergo harmonization with those

national ecolabels (e.g. MFDs &

paper products with the Blue Angel)

whenever feasible (not

automatic).

Develop common core criteria

focusing on circular economy

aspects for the selected product

groups and also go for Mutual

Recognition Agreements for these

product groups (i.e. for not so

successful EU ecolabel products).

NOTE: This would require a change

in the EU Ecolabel Regulation!

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel focus

more on

construction &

building?

e.g. building

materials.

Agree

but construction products in the

first place, not buildings.

Motivation:

Existing market demand for

environmentally

friendly/ecolabelled construction

products.




categories for:

• products for household

maintenance (e.g. wood oils,

waxes & polishes, etc.);

• construction products (e.g.

doors, windows & other

insulation materials, etc.)

For both product groups,

Consumers show an agreement

over 80%.

EU Ecolabel to cover:

• Focus on products for do-it-

yourself, mainly products for

indoor (e.g. wood oils, waxes

& polishes, paints, varnishes,

etc).

• construction products (e.g.

doors, windows and other

insulation products; products

for household maintenance.)

• Drawing on the experience of

its own successful product

groups (e.g. «Hard

coverings»);

• Considering the successful

product groups under other

national ecolabelling schemes

as reference;

• leave the building level out.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

more types of

personal care

products?

E.g. cosmetics,

toothbrushes etc.

Agree

Motivation:

Although the EU Ecolabel should

be kept a label of

ENVIRONMENAL excellence,

the link with health and

personal/family well-being may

be an advantage as it represents

a powerful driver for consumers’

purchasing decisions.

Highest level of agreement for

all stakeholders for cosmetics

and personal care products.

Consumers showing a very high

level of agreement for cosmetic

products (around 90%)

Strongly suggested approach:

• In priority focus on cosmetics

for daily use:

o baby care cosmetics;

o leave-on skin care products

(e.g. creams, sunscreens,

aftershave etc.);

o cleansing products (e.g.

make up removers);

o leave-on haircare products;

o fragrances, perfumes and

deodorants;

o Make up products;

o toothpaste and oral rinses.

• However, consider also other

personal care products (e.g.

toothbrushes, etc.)

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

food, feed and

non-alcoholic

beverages?

Disagree

Main motivations:

• Although stakeholders

recognize that the food and

drink sector has relevant

environmental impacts and

that the EU Ecolabel could

play a role, there is also a

general agreement that an

overlap between an EU

Ecolabel on food products

and the EU Organic Label

would create confusion

among consumers;

• Proliferation of ecolabelling

schemes in the sector.

BUT support for

a) pet food;

b) an indirect contribution of the

EU Ecolabel via food related

services (e.g. food catering

services)

Food and beverage products

not on top of agreement for all

stakeholders’ categories.

Only Consumers and EU

Ecolabel License Holders show

higher levels of agreement.

Food and catering services,

especially restaurants and cafés;

supermarkets and food-retail)

show high level of agreement

among

- Consumers; and

- NGOs, public authorities,

experts, etc.

• Develop EU Ecolabel criteria

for food catering services,

restaurants and cafés,

supermarkets; and strengthen

the use of products with EU

Organic Label within them;

• Focus on minimization of food

waste, reduction of single-use

packaging, etc.;

• Target audience consumers,

but also public procurers and

the “business to business”

market.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

education

recreation &

culture products

and services?

e.g. meetings &

events; toys …

Agree

Specifically supporting events &

meetings, restaurants, and toys.

Main motivations:

• perceived by stakeholders as

a sector where the EU

Ecolabel can help tackling

environmental problems (e.g.

circular economy aspects for

toys and smartphones);

• Existing demand in the sector

for developing EU Ecolabel

criteria for toys;

• Possible GPP interest in

green meetings and events;

• successful service groups

under other national

ecolabelling schemes (e.g.

“green events” under the

Austrian Ecolabel”).




categories for the following

“education, recreation & culture

products” :

• toys,

• smartphones,

• Gardening and pet

products;

• imaging equipment and

items (e.g. cartridges, etc.)

Consumers showing highest

agreement for

• school and nursery

services.

This sector is promising in terms

of market demand and

environmental relevance.

EU Ecolabel to focus on

selected relevant products and

services:

• Toys;

• Gardening products (e.g.

plant care products);

• Pet products (e.g. pet care

products and accessories,

etc.);

• Smartphones;

• Cartridges (not printers, which

proved not to be successful in

the past);


• School and nursery services.

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Options

discussed



Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

mobility

services?

e.g. car sharing,

bike sharing, food

delivery services,

taxi

Should the EU

Ecolabel cover

mobility-related

products?

e.g. bike, small &

light vehicles, …

Disagree

Main motivations:

• avoid covering products and

services that are intrinsically

environmentally friendly;

• mobility service groups under

national ecolabelling schemes

are not always successful

(e.g. car sharing services

under the Austrian Ecolabel).

However, it must be noted

that under the Blue Angel car

sharing is considered

successful (5 licenses).

Consumers showing high

agreement (over 70%) also for

• Car cleaning services;

• vehicle spare parts;

• small & light vehicles;

• car & bike sharing,

• public transport (over 80%).

Cautionary approach :

consider and evaluate the

possibility to develop EU

Ecolabel criteria to mobility

related products and services,

such as:

• car cleaning services;

• end-consumer car cleaning

products (e.g. glass cleaning

products, paint cleaning

products, etc.) possible

“rebound” effect derived from

EU Ecolabel car cleaning

services.

• vehicles’ spare parts and

equipment (e.g. tires,

replacement catalytic

converters etc.);

Leave car/bike sharing and

public transport out as these are

env. friendly as such.

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“Presentation of proposed scenarios for the

EU Ecolabel” (Task 2)

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Scenarios will have to include a description of:

• the positioning of the EU Ecolabel on the market, its relationship with existing

circular economy tools and its relationship with other nationally and regionally

officially recognized ecolabels;

• the identification of goods and services that the EU Ecolabel should cover;

• the strategic objectives 2023/2028 + related KPIs.

and also:

• procedural implications;

• elements in the EU Ecolabel Regulation that could be barriers for increasing EU

Ecolabel uptake / what evolution of uptake should these barriers be overcome.

These scenarios will be then assessed against a “baseline scenario” (no change).

Task 2 “Identification and assessment of scenarios for the

EU Ecolabel”

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Proposal of scenarios for the EU Ecolabel

Here we present:

• 3 possible scenarios for the EU Ecolabel defined on the basis of:

a) Task 1 analysis (market demand + env. relevance);

b) stakeholders’ consultation outcome (Task 4);

c) our recommendations.

• General description: scenarios will be described in full and assessed

in a dedicated report (Task 2);

• Such proposals can be adjusted according to EUEB feedback.


EU Ecolabel”

31


EU Ecolabel”

How did we select the scenarios?

Criteria for selection:

1. Key overarching strategic considerations deriving from Task 1

analysis, stakeholders’ consultation and our recommendations;

2. Product/service groups resulting from market analysis and

stakeholder consultation + our recommendations;

3. Level of market coverage and uptake potential in terms of:

• Number of product/service groups;

• Number of sectors covered;

• EU Ecolabel potential visibility in the market;

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EU Ecolabel”

1. Key overarching strategic considerations used for the

identification of scenarios and deriving from Task 1 analysis,

stakeholders’ consultation and our recommendations (1):

• EU Ecolabel heterogeneous/diversification approach more strategic.

• Focus on consumable goods and give priority to non-energy-related

durable products;

• Health/well being connotation of products to be used as market

leverage but keeping the EU Ecolabel a label of environmental

excellence;

• Services may represent a valuable opportunity for increasing uptake,

also thanks to their «rebound» effect on other EU Ecolabel/env.

friendly products (e.g. car cleaning services on car cleaning

products; catering services on organic food and drink, etc.);

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EU Ecolabel”

1. Key overarching strategic considerations used for the identification

of scenarios and deriving from Task 1 analysis, stakeholders’

consultation and our recommendations (2):

• Focus only on circular economy aspects (durability, repairability, re-

use, recyclability, hazardous substances) for energy-related durable

products covered by the EU Ecodesign and the EU Energy Label;

• GPP strategic consideration anytime possible. B2B not a priority;

• PGs’ harmonization* with strong national labels, but EU Ecolabel to

persue its own EU-wide market strategies.

*Harmonization: a) EU Ecolabel covers successful PGs for which criteria

under other national ecolabelling schemes exist and are “successful”; b)

criteria coherence and Mutual Recognition Agreements between EU Ecolabel

and national ecolabels, even by amending the EU Ecolabel Regulation.

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EU Ecolabel”

2. How did we select the product/service groups?

Progressive narrowing down of potential product/service groups:

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Task 1 results

(broad sectors and examples of potential products/services)

Webinar + EUEB

Online

Consultation

Our recommendations for a shorter set of product/service groups for

scenarios (taking into account also the set of existing EU policies)

Consumers’ contribution

higher incidence

• Market demand

• Env. relevance

Experts’ view


EU Ecolabel”

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List of potential future EU Ecolabel product/service groupsRecommened / Not

recommended

Housing

Household appliances bearing the EU Energy Label

(e.g. washing machines, fridges, etc.)Not recommended

Other household appliances (e.g. kettles, irons, etc.) Recommended

Products for household maintenance

(e.g. wood oils, waxes & polishes, etc.)Recommended

Plastic waste bags Recommended

Solar photovoltaic modules, inverters and systems* Not recommended

Green power supply (e.g. electricity) Recommended

Laundry services Recommended

Construction & buildings

Buildings (e.g. residential and offices) Not recommended

Construction products (e.g. doors, windows & other insulation materials, etc.) Recommended

Construction services (e.g. demolition services, waste management services, etc.) Not recommended

Maintenance and repair services

(e.g. heating maintenance, plumber, repair of appliances etc.)Recommended

Mobility equipment and services

Vehicles’ spare parts (e.g. tires, etc.) Recommended

Car cleaning services Recommended

Small & light vehicles (e.g. bikes, etc.) Not recommended

Car or bike sharing services Not recommended

Taxi and delivery services Not recommended

Public transport (e.g. bus, train, plane etc.) Recommended

*NOTE: A specific study is ongoing on this product group.

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recommended

Food & beverage products

Meat & processed meat Not recommended

Fish & processed fish Not recommended

Dairy products Not recommended

Other processed food (e.g. pasta, coffee, etc.) Not recommended

Non-alcoholic beverages (e.g. soft drinks, etc.) Not recommended

Alcoholic beverages (e.g. wine, beer, etc.) Not recommended

Food & catering services

Restaurants and cafés Recommended

Vending machines Not recommended

Supermarkets and food-retail Recommended

Education, recreation & culture products

Toys Recommended

Smartphones Recommended

Audio-visual, photographic and information processing equipment Not recommended

Imaging items and equipment (e.g. printers, cartridges, etc.) Cartridges recommended

Gardening and pet products

(e.g. plant care products, pet care products and accessories, etc.)Recommended

Education, recreation & culture services

Events and meetings Recommended

School and nursery services Recommended


EU Ecolabel”

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recommended

Personal care / cosmetics products

Leave on skin care products (e.g. creams, sunscreens, aftershave etc.). Recommended

Cleansing products and make up removers Recommended

Leave on haircare products Recommended

Fragrances, perfumes and deodorants Recommended

Make up products Recommended

Toothpaste and oral rinses Recommended

Toothbrushes Recommended

Baby care products Recommended

Financial products Recommended

Of course scenarios will have to take into account also the existing product

groups under the EU Ecolabel and consider:

• which should be maintained;

• how to improve uptake.

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EU Ecolabel”

Level of market coverage

• Scenario 1

Very focused market coverage (consumable products with strong

health/well being connotation);

• Scenario 2

Focused market coverage (Scenario 1 + relevant services);

• Scenario 3

Broad market coverage (Scenario 2 + durable non-energy products +

durable energy-related products with focus on circular economy

aspects).

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EU Ecolabel Scenario 1 – “Very focussed market coverage” (1)

Market positioning

EU Ecolabel an environmental label with a strong direct and indirect

consumers’ well-being connotation Main market target: consumers.

What consumers look for:

• products responding to their needs for well-being and health care and,

secondly, products that are good for the environment;

• Producers’ information (certification/labelling), possibly displayed on

packaging.

What the EU Ecolabel does best:

• both high environmental and “health” quality of products, certified and

publicly endorsed;

• well positioned product groups with health/well being connotation (e.g.

“Rinse-off cosmetics”; “Indoor & Outdoor paints and varnishes”).


EU Ecolabel”

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Portfolio

• Limited heterogeneous approach focusing strongly on selected

consumables with a health/well-being connotation, both direct and indirect;

• Keep current successful EU Ecolabel product groups (e.g. “Indoor & outdoor,

paints and varnishes”, “Paper products”, etc.) and marketed and communicated

to consumers in order to function as “visibility leverage” for new product groups.

• Consideration will be given as to whether to maintain several existing not

“successful” EU Ecolabel product categories, such as: “Furniture”, “Electronic

equipment, “Footwear”, “Bed Mattresses”, etc.;


EU Ecolabel”

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Portfolio – New potential product groups (1)


EU Ecolabel”

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Where is the highest potential for the EU Ecolabel in this set of product groups ?

OVERALL HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR COSMETICS/PERSONAL CARE in terms of:

• Consumers demand;

• Consumers attitude: look at certifications and “eco”/natural labels;

• Market visibility of such products in retail;

• Environmental relevance (plastic and plastic waste, microplastics, hazardous substances, etc.)

Personal

care /

cosmetics

products

Cosmetics:

• Leave on skin care products (e.g. creams,

sunscreens, aftershave etc.);

• Cleansing products and make up removers;

• Leave on haircare products;

• Fragrances, perfumes and deodorants;

• Make up products;

• Toothpaste and oral rinses;

• Toothbrushes;

• Baby care products;

• Pet shampoos and conditioners.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic

products has a broad scope other cosmetic

products, such as skin care products, decorative

cosmetics, hygiene products could be potentially

included in the scope of the EU Ecolabel, as it is

the case for other environmental labels. In a

prequestionnaire launched in April 2018 an initial

positive opinion to expand the scope was given by

most of the respondents. Another online

consultation is currently being carried out.

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Portfolio – New potential product groups (2)

HousingConsumable products for household maintenance

(e.g. wood oils, waxes & polishes, etc.)

Construction & buildingsConsumable construction products

(e.g. adhesives, coating materials, etc.)

Education, recreation & culture productsConsumable gardens and pet products

(e.g. plant care products, pet care products, etc.)


EU Ecolabel”

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But EU Ecolabel may consider also:

Potential in terms of:

• Consumers 'demand for “do-it-yourself” (DIY) products (indoor construction products and gardening

products);

• Consumers’ purchasing attitude driven by health considerations, especially for DIY products for

housing/indoor attention payed to quality/ecolabelling;

• Positive demonstrative experience of EU Ecolabel product group “Indoor & outdoor paints and

varnishes)

• Pet care products showing increasing demand by consumers and attention to quality for pets’ health.

EU Ecolabel Scenario 1 – “Very focused market coverage” (5)

EU Ecolabel role in EU circular Economy

contributing to EU Circular Economy Action plan goals for:

supporting “Strategy on plastics in the circular economy” – microplastics, plastic

packaging, plastic waste, etc.;

control and substitution of hazardous substances;

construction sector is priority;

addressing current gaps in EU product environmental policies (cosmetics).

Harmonization with other national ecolabelling schemes:

Consumable construction products (Nordic Swan, Blue Angel);

Cosmetics (Nordic Swan);

Shampoos, shower gels, soaps (Blue Angel);

Gardening, plant care products (Austrian Ecolabel).

and consider establishing Mutual Recognition Agreements (EU Ecolabel Regulation

amendment)

Synergies with GPP and B2B:

Consumable construction products, gardening products.


EU Ecolabel”

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EU Ecolabel Scenario 2 – “Focused market coverage” (1)

Market positioning

EU Ecolabel strongly oriented at

• Consumers’ demand for relevant consumable products with a strong

health/well-being connotation;

• Consumers/public/B2B demand for services in environmentally relevant

sectors.

Market targets:

Consumers and public purchasers/business-to-business


EU Ecolabel”

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Market positioning

• What market targets want:

• Services becoming more and more important in consumers’ purchases.

Interest for services such as car cleaning, laundry services, school and

nursery services, etc.

• What the EU Ecolabel does best:

• Services such as “Tourist accommodation” relatively “successful”;

• “Financial products” under preparation: strong support at political and

business level.


EU Ecolabel”

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Portfolio

Wider range of products and services

Consumables with a health connotation, both direct and indirect;

Services with highest potential (in terms market demand and environmental

relevance);

Consideration will be given as to whether to maintain several existing not “successful”

EU Ecolabel product categories, such as: “Furniture, “Electronic equipment,

“Footwear”, etc.;

Keep current successful EU Ecolabel product/service groups (e.g. “Indoor &

Outdoor paints and varnishes”, “Paper products”, “Tourist accommodations”, etc.);

Existing EU Ecolabel “successful” product groups with well-being connotation (e.g.

“Indoor & Outdoor Paints and Varnishes”; “Hard coverings”) and service group “Tourist

accommodations” to be further and more adequately marketed and communicated.


EU Ecolabel”

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Portfolio – New potential EU Ecolabel product groups (1)


EU Ecolabel”

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Where is the highest potential for the EU Ecolabel in this set of product groups ?

OVERALL HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR SELECTED SERVICES in terms of:• Market demand by both consumers and public purchasers/B2B;

• Consumers attitude: increasing awareness about impacts of such services on the environment they

live in;

• Purchasing recurrence of such services/visibility;

• Environmental relevance (reduction of plastic and plastic waste, food waste, hazardous substances)

Housing• Green power supply;

• Laundry services

Education,

recreation &

culture services


• School and nursery services

Food and catering

services

• Restaurants and cafés;

• Supermarket and food retail.

Mobility equipment

and services• Car cleaning services

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EU Ecolabel role in EU circular Economy

contributing to EU Circular Economy Action plan goals for:

durability, reparability, upgradability of products;

supporting “Strategy on plastics in the circular economy” – microplastics, plastic packaging,

plastic waste, etc.



food waste is priority;

addressing current gaps in EU product environmental policies (cosmetics);

shifting consumption patterns from products to services (lower environmental pressure).


Consumable construction products (Nordic Swan, Austrian Ecolabel, Blue Angel);

Cosmetics (Nordic Swan);

Events and meetings (Nordic Swan, Austrian);

Supermarkets and food retail (Blue Angel; Nordic Swan);

and consider establishing Mutual Recognition Agreements (EU Ecolabel Regulation amendment)


food catering services; electricity.


EU Ecolabel”

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EU Ecolabel Scenario 3 – “Broad market coverage” (1)

Market positioning

strongly oriented at creating a “volume effect” and aiming at strongly

increase visibility in the market in the next 10/20 years.

Market targets:

Consumers and public purcharsers/business-to-business


EU Ecolabel”

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Market positioning

• What market targets want:

• Electronic appliances among top consumption categories. Some of

them highly visible in the market, e.g. smartphones;

• Demand for safe for health and environmentally friendly toys and

pet products;

• What the EU Ecolabel does best:

• Identification and assessment of circular economy aspects.


EU Ecolabel”

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Market positioning

Portfolio

Highly Heterogeneous (very diverse range of products and services, including

selected electric/electronic appliances not covered by the Energy Label, focusing on

circular economy aspects;

Keep current successful EU Ecolabel product groups (e.g. (e.g. “Indoor & Outdoor

paints and varnishes”, “Rinse-off detergents”, “Paper products”, etc.);

Consideration will be given as to whether to maintain several existing not “successful”

EU Ecolabel product categories, such as: “Furniture, “Electronic equipment,

“Footwear”, etc.;

EU Ecolabel to be marketed and communicated extensively.


EU Ecolabel”

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Portfolio

EU Ecolabel develops criteria for scenario 1 and scenario 2 new

potential product groups, plus:

HousingOther household appliances (e.g. kettles, irons, etc.) not covered

by the EU Energy Label (focus on circular economy aspects).

Mobility equipment and services Vehicles spare parts (e.g. tires, etc.)

Education, recreation & culture

products

• Smartphones;

• Toys;

• Durable gardening products;

• Durable pet accessories;

• Cartridges.


EU Ecolabel”

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Contributing to EU Circular Economy Action plan goals for:

durability, reparability, upgradability of products;

supporting “Strategy on plastics in the circular economy” – microplastics, plastic packaging,

plastic waste, etc.;



food waste is priority;

addressing current gaps in EU product environmental policies (cosmetics);

shifts consumption patterns from products to services (lower environmental pressure).


Harmonization construction products (Austrian Ecolabel, Blue Angel);

personal care/cosmetics (Nordic Swan);

events and meetings (Nordic Swan, Austrian);

toners and multifunctional devices (Blue Angel).and consider establishing Mutual Recognition Agreements (EU Ecolabel Regulation amendment)


cartridges; gardening products.


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The most favourable scenario in terms of impacts, uptake and

costs/benefits will be identified :

• It could be a combination of the identified scenarios;

• It may include products/services not falling into the scope of

the selected scenario but showing political or strategic

relevance.


EU Ecolabel”

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Questions for your consideration (1)

• Do you see important bias or limitations in the identified

scenarios for the EU Ecolabel?

• Do you see any major barriers and/or risks associated to the

proposed scenarios for the EU Ecolabel?

• If yes, do you have any proposal for addressing limitations

and risks?


EU Ecolabel”

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Questions for your consideration (2)

• Which of the proposed scenarios do you think is more in line

with the EU Circular Economy Policy goals ?

• Which of the proposed scenarios would be better for

improving the EU Ecolabel role in fostering SCP in the EU?


EU Ecolabel”

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THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND COOPERATION !

Contacts:

Michele Barberio: [email protected]

Siddharth Prakash: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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