The green cleaning market is gaining momentum in Hungary, driven by the growing environmental awareness of consumers. Amidst this boom, the role of eco-certifications has also increased. However, it is vital that people consider the issue of “greenwashing” and examine whether individual labels truly meet their environmentally conscious consumer needs.
CYCLE conducted a survey on the purchasing habits of the domestic population regarding cleaning products and their knowledge of ingredients . It turned out that consumers want to know more about ingredients and green certifications. In response, CYCLE is launching a new series, in which it presents the most popular eco-certifications in order to help consumers make informed decisions for a greener and healthier future.
Eco-certifications against greenwashing
In an era of growing concern about “greenwashing,” people need a framework they can rely on to make informed choices. Labels like Ecolabel, Green Brands, and Leaping Bunny offer consumers options that align with their unique values. And that’s what the CYCLE series is all about.
As the green cleaning market continues to grow, the issue of “greenwashing” cannot be ignored. In this fight, informed consumers will surely play a key role in promoting sustainability by demanding transparency and supporting products that live up to the environmental values they represent.
In the first part of the series, CYCLE staff examines the EU Ecolabel.
EU Ecolabel
The Ecolabel is a prominent green certification, as it is supported by EU law and independent of private organizations. This independence also ensures strict environmental standards, making it an attractive choice for consumers who prefer environmentally friendly options. In addition, the certification places great emphasis on product efficiency, dispelling the misconception that green products perform less well than their conventional counterparts.
A closer look at the EU Ecolabel
Although the Ecolabel boasts many benefits, it is essential that people recognize that other certifications have similarly stringent criteria regarding environmental impacts.Advantages of Ecolabel:
- The Ecolabel takes into account the efficiency of the product, which should definitely be supported.
- Tighter control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributes to a healthier indoor environment.
- The certification's continued focus on environmental impacts underscores the commitment to sustainability.
Disadvantages of Ecolabel:
- The lack of exclusion of petrochemical ingredients is a concern for some environmentally conscious consumers.
- There is a lack of specific requirements regarding animal protection and freedom from animal testing.
- Using non-organic coconut oil may not necessarily meet some environmentally conscious values.
- Strict guidelines for raw material processing and provisions for vegan-friendly products are conspicuously absent.
The advantages and disadvantages shown in the list help consumers to determine whether this certification meets their own needs, based on which they can make greenwashing-free, environmentally conscious decisions.
Stay tuned to the blog every week for more parts of the series!
