On 26 October 2021, the European Commission published Decision 2021/1870 establishing the criteria for the attribution of the EU Ecolabel. This label, previously reserved for rinse-off products, can now be awarded to cosmetic products as a whole (including leave-on products), as well as to animal care products. It also introduces changes to the criteria previously established for rinse-off products and provides for a transition period to adapt to them.
This Decision first recalls that under Regulation 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel may be awarded to those products with a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle.
Commission Decision 2014/893/EU established EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group “rinse-off cosmetics”, which validity has been extended to 31 December 2021.
This Decision:
• Revises the criteria for the product group “rinse-off cosmetics”
• Expands its scope to other cosmetic products covered by Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and to animal care products
The new product group “Cosmetic products” now includes rinse-off and leave-on products for private and professional use. The new criteria will remain valid until 31 December 2027.
The criteria
The criteria for awarding the EU Ecolabel to “cosmetic products” are the following:
(1) Toxicity to aquatic organisms: Critical Dilution Volume (CDV) of rinse-off products
(2) Biodegradability of rinse-off products
(3) Aquatic toxicity and biodegradability of leave-on products
(4) Excluded and restricted substances
(5) Packaging
(6) Sustainable sourcing of palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives
(7) Fitness for use
(8) Information on EU Ecolabel
Specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion in Annex I to this Decision.
Transitional period
• Applications submitted before the date of adoption …
