The European Union is committed to enhancing the status of eco-labels. The European Commission recently expanded the scope of eco-labels to include textile flooring. The Official Journal of the European Union published Resolution 2009/967/EC on December 17, 2009, which included eco-labeling regulations. Textile flooring products must comply with these regulations to be eligible for eco-labels.
Ecolabeling is voluntary; products must meet certain environmental requirements to be eligible for the label. To date, the EU has established standards for a wide range of products and services, including textiles similar to floor coverings and self-assembly products such as hardwood flooring.
Most textile floor coverings regulated by European Commission decisions are woven, knitted, and tufted fabrics, typically attached to raised floors by nails or adhesives. Carpets and mats not fixed to raised floors, wall coverings, and outdoor textile floor coverings are not subject to these regulations.
Each candidate product must meet all award criteria to be granted an eco-label. The environmental criteria set forth in the new resolution will expire in December 2013.
The main purposes of developing environmental protection guidelines include:
- Reduce the impact on habitats and related resources.
- Reduce energy consumption.
- Reduce emissions of toxic substances or pollutants.
- To provide consumers with information so that they can use products effectively, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact.
The environmental guidelines are based on multiple studies and cover the environmental impact of products and services throughout their entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, flooring manufacturing, distribution, and disposal.
These floral eco-friendly labels are attached to product packaging to make them easy for consumers to identify.
Because the criteria for awarding the eco-label are independently developed by EU authorities after consulting with experts, and product retailers are not involved in the process, they are trustworthy. Furthermore, products bearing the eco-label can be promoted within the European Economic Area, helping to enhance the manufacturer's reputation and more effectively attracting the attention of target consumers.
The Ecolabel program is part of the European Commission's "Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy" work plan adopted on July 16, 2008. Since its inception in 1992, the number of companies awarded the European Ecolabel has steadily increased. By early 2009, over 750 companies had received the Ecolabel for their products.
- Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website, 2010-01-14
