Eco-labelling: EC Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000

The voluntary Eco-labelling scheme aims to award a Community Eco-Label to products and services with reduced environmental impacts. The scheme is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting sustainable production and consumption and forms part of the new Environmental Action Programme of the European Parliament and European Council entitled: "Environment 2010: Our Future Our Choice". A manufacturer, retailer or service provider, who meets the criteria for the Eco-label and makes an application, can use the label to market its products throughout the EU Member States. The Eco-label applies not only to detergents, but also to a whole group of products from paints to textile products. The label is only awarded to those products with the lowest environmental impact in a product range. The European Union Eco-Labelling Board (EUEB) develops ecological criteria for product groups in close collaboration with the Commission. The regulatory Committee votes on these and if there is a qualified majority vote, the Commission adopts the criteria. Each Member state has a Competent Body which is responsible for receiving applications from manufactures, retailers and service providers or importers for the award of the Eco-label to their products. For each award of the Eco-label the decision is made by this Body. As this is a voluntary scheme it is up to the manufacturers of detergents whether they wish to take part in it.