In the first part of our series, we would like to take a comprehensive look at the ECO LABEL certification. In our post, we will not only share general information with you, but also talk about the benefits, challenges, and why CYCLE was awarded the ECO LABEL certification.
ECO LABEL is an environmental certification that is awarded to products and services that meet the criteria they have set. It aims to encourage both businesses and consumers to operate and live more sustainably.
Products with the ECO LABEL certificate must meet a set of criteria that examine energy efficiency, water use, the use of environmentally friendly raw materials and the minimization of harmful emissions from an environmental perspective. However, not only environmental aspects are taken into account, but also social and economic factors, such as support for the workforce and local communities.
ECO LABEL also has many benefits for consumers . It helps customers confidently choose products that have a low environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability. ECO LABEL helps consumers make informed choices and supports businesses that are environmentally responsible.
This logo appears on the products as an ECO LABEL certificate
At the same time, ECO LABEL is also a kind of guide for businesses to keep up with sustainability trends and develop their products and production processes.
Why is the presence of ECO LABEL in the market important?
The work of ECO LABEL plays a prominent role in promoting sustainable consumption and supporting environmental protection. This certificate is not just a symbol, but a multifaceted system that encourages positive changes in society and businesses.
The primary role of the ECO LABEL is to recognize and reward products that meet high environmental criteria . Within this framework, it is examined how and to what extent manufacturers minimize their ecological footprint during production. Such products promote the spread of environmentally friendly technologies, thereby contributing to global sustainability efforts.
But recognition of steps taken towards sustainable development not only encourages businesses, but also inspires consumers to make more conscious choices. For consumers, the ECO LABEL can be a kind of guide during conscious shopping. With the help of the certificate, they can more easily identify and support products that are responsible for environmental protection. In this way, consumers become active participants in sustainability steps, contributing to the spread of environmental awareness.
How does a product or service receive ECO LABEL certification?
Obtaining the ECO LABEL certificate is not a simple process, but rather a thorough and rigorous procedure. Manufacturers are required to comprehensively analyze the entire life cycle of their product and meet a number of criteria.
These include energy efficiency, sustainability of raw materials, minimization of environmental impacts , including product packaging design and waste management strategies.
Companies must meet different criteria
After a company contacts the organization, they send it the application document, then after filling it out, they analyze the data and provide comments on the necessary points. After that, they make an inspection visit to the company, during which they assess the extent to which the manufacturer meets the criteria and meets the requirements.
The process is therefore not just an administrative obligation, but a commitment that contributes to the spread of more sustainable practices.
What are the benefits of certification for consumers?
ECO LABEL helps consumers to identify environmentally friendly products more easily. The logo on the label is a clear sign that the product has been certified . Thanks to this, consumers do not have to dig deep into the product information, but simply look for the ECO LABEL sign.
ECO LABEL guarantees that the purchased product complies with the environmental standards they have developed, so consumers can confidently choose products that contribute to sustainability.
In addition, the certification creates an opportunity for consumers to actively support environmentally friendly practices in the market. Those who choose products with the ECO LABEL are directly participating in creating a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Criticisms and challenges
The ECO LABEL system, although a powerful tool in promoting sustainability, is not without challenges and criticism. Some argue that obtaining certification can be too costly for businesses , especially small and medium-sized enterprises. This financial burden can make it difficult to transition to sustainability, especially for businesses that already face higher operating costs.
Another weakness of ECO LABEL is that it does not take into account the specificities of each industry sufficiently . Some sectors struggle with different environmental limits and challenges, so not all systems can adapt to the criteria properly. This makes it difficult for certain industries to obtain the ECO LABEL certificate, which is why the final result does not always reflect the real environmental performance of the company.
We shared our further pros and cons in this previous article: https://hu.cycle.bio/blogs/blog/mi-lehet-az-idealis-zold-tanusitvany
CYCLE fights against greenwashing
Since ECO LABEL plays a significant role in green certification, it is important to recognize that it may not fully meet all environmentally conscious expectations.
In this day and age of growing concern about “greenwashing,” alternative certifications such as Green Brands or Leaping Bunny offer consumers options that may better align with their unique values.
As the market for green cleaning products continues to grow, the issue of greenwashing cannot be ignored. And informed consumers can be key players in the fight against “greenwashing” by demanding transparency and supporting products that live up to the environmental values they represent.
Although ECO LABEL remains a recognized certification, it may not fully meet the needs of all environmentally conscious consumers.
At CYCLE, we have developed our own patented process to produce recycled organic acids and vinegar for our cleaning products.
We use recycled water for all of this, minimizing the waste of one of our precious resources, water. We also support the use of less plastic, rejecting virgin plastic and prioritizing recycled plastic and the reuse of our bottles.
Reducing CO2 emissions is also a top priority for us. Through measures taken during the transportation and use of our concentrates, we have been able to reduce the CO2 footprint of these products.
Take a look around the webshop and get to know our concentrates
This also includes our circular approach , which starts with the recycling of wastewater and ends with our cleaning products! It doesn't stop there, it keeps spinning. When our products are used at home, they are returned to the system and returned as raw materials to our production process.
Last but not least, our goal with our text and video content is to educate our environment and our customers about the steps that lead to an environmentally friendly everyday life every day.
Future prospects
With a focus on sustainability, the ECO LABEL certification can play a significant role in creating a more conscious relationship between businesses and consumers. We hope that in the coming years the certification will become even more widespread on a global level and will be more widely accepted in the international market.
However, the system will face some challenges in the future. One is the increasing diversity of industries and businesses, so ECO LABEL must adapt to these changing needs and characteristics.
Technology and innovation will also play a critical role in the coming decades. Just like brands, certification systems need to keep pace with new eco-friendly developments to support businesses that are moving towards forward-thinking and sustainable solutions.
Despite the challenges, ECO LABEL remains an effective tool in promoting environmental protection.
Overall, emphasizing the importance of the ECO LABEL certificate, it can be said that this recognition is not just a simple label, but an active tool in promoting sustainable development. The support and recognition of the certificate creates an opportunity not only for businesses, but also for consumers to make more conscious and environmentally conscious choices. Products with the ECO LABEL label are, one by one, joint efforts towards a sustainable future.
Source: https://www.ecolabel.net/hu/
