EU eco-labels

The EU eco-label [8] was launched in 1992 when the European Community decided to develop a Europe-wide voluntary environmental scheme that consumers could trust. The EU eco-label covers a huge number of products and services. The criteria are developed by key experts in consultation with main stakeholders in order to decrease the environmental impacts over the entire life cycle of a product. The criteria are revised every 4 years in order to take new developments and knowledge into consideration. 

The EU eco-label that is relevant for the leather industry is the eco-label for footwear. The EU eco-label is given to consumer products. Leather is not in itself a consumer product, but criteria for leather are included in the criteria for footwear. The criteria can be found in Commission Decision of 9 July 2009 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label for footwear (2009/563/EC). 

The EU eco-label scheme aims to stimulate the supply and demand of products with a reduced environmental impact and to give consumers the means of informed environmental choices. 

Table 23-7 Trace metal limits (ppm) for ionic impurities in colorants under the EU eco-label criteria for general textile products (Commission Decision 1999/178/EC).

So far, relatively few products have received an EU eco-label award. This may be due to the fact that there are already numerous national, international and independent schemes in place. One of the earliest eco-labeling schemes was the Blue Angel, introduced in Germany in 1977. The Nordic Countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) have been particularly active with several eco-labels in operation (e.g. the Nordic or White Swan). Within the European textile industry the Oko-tex label is widely promoted by the textile retailers. 

Short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) are those with a chain length of C10-C13. EU Regulation 1907/2006 [12] restricts the marketing and sale of SCCP in preparations to a maximum of 1%. SCCP were mainly in the past used as fatliquors, but other alternatives are available in the market. The use of SCCP is also restricted by many eco-labels and RSL. 

The use of NPE is highly restricted in the EU but can still be found in leather products imported from outside the EU. However, most eco-labels and restricted substance lists restrict the use of NPE in the leather production. 

The use of biocides is in Europe controlled and regulated by the EU Biocidal Products Directive [15]. Registration of a biocide is expensive and only a few active biocide substances will in the future be available for the leather industry in the EU. The directive will include a list of active substances that are permitted to use by the leather industry (a so-called positive list). Many eco-labels and RSL does already today include restrictions of the use of some biocides. 

Perfluorinated chemicals such as PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are usually restricted by brands and eco-labels. Furthermore, the EU regulates the content of PFOS in consumer products on the market. The use of PFOS and PFOA is also restricted by the Stockholm Convention on POPs although some exemptions exist. PFOS are still produced and used in several countries and can be used in the coating of leather. 

European Commission, DG Environment Eco-label, see http //ec.europa.eu/environment/ ecolabel/. Accessed 15 July 2012... 

European eco-labeling of paper products, and in the existing European eco-labeling for cleaners under Regulation 1980/2000/EC. In addition, the EU Commission made further recommendations on risk reduction measures for EDTA. First, it asked EU Member States to establish Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for EDTA, and the national pollution reduction measures to achieve those EQS in 2015 should be included in the river basin management plans in line with the provisions of Directive 2000/60/EC. Second, EU Member States should specify in IPPC permits measures on EDTA to operate to BAT by October 2007, taking into account local circumstances. Further, as BAT is developed, this should be incorporated into the permits. 

Formulators requiring eco-labels such as EU Flower and Nordic Swan have to work under restrictions on chelants and other ingredients as described in Section 10.4.4. 

ISO Type I Environmental Labelhng Most of the eco-labelling schemes can be included in this type. This programme is a voluntary, multiple criteria-based, third-party programme. It awards a license for a product type considering the whole life cycle of this product category. Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan can be included in this class. 

EnvirOTimental trends are having an impact on electrical applications. Waste legislation includes WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive 2002/%/EC which holds producers responsible for collection and recovery of materials at end of Ufe. Additionally, materials that contain bromine-based flame retardants must be removed from the waste and handled separately. In restrictions on use of hazardous substances (ROHS) directive 2002/95/EC, the use of various hazardous materials is restricted. These include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ether. Since the introduction of Blue Angel in Germany in 1978, several other eco-labels have been implemented. These include TCO (Sweden), Nordic Swan, Milieukeur (Netherlands), and the EU Ecolabel. The general purpose of these labels is to provide cmisumers with information relating to the environmental impact of the products they purchase. 

Eco-label http //europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel... 

The basic legal framework for an eco-label in the EU is Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 1 Consumer goods are divided into 22 product groups for whicJi ecological criteria are normally estabhshed for a period of three years. This allows for teeJmical improvements and cianges in the market to be reflected when the criteria are revised. 

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