Umweltlabel

Umweltlabel, often used as a generic term for environmental labels, refers to marks placed on products to indicate that their environmental impact meets criteria set by independent certification bodies. The aim is to help consumers identify products with reduced negative effects during their life cycle and to encourage producers to improve sustainability performance.

The best-known example in German-speaking areas is the Blauer Engel (Blue Angel), established in 1978. It certifies a wide range of products and services based on criteria that emphasize lifecycle considerations, low environmental impact, and safety. In the European Union, the EU Ecolabel serves as an official pan-European environmental mark. Other regional schemes exist, such as the Nordic Swan in Nordic countries and sector-specific marks like those for IT equipment and textiles.

Typical certification covers factors across the product life cycle, including raw material sourcing, production processes, energy and water use, emissions and waste, packaging, transport, product use, and end-of-life options such as recyclability. Certification generally requires third-party verification and periodic reassessment to maintain the label.

Scope and purpose: Umweltlabels are voluntary and applied to a variety of products and services, including cleaning products, electronics, household goods, and textiles. They are intended to reduce environmental harm, steer consumer choice, and drive innovation toward greener design and production.

Limitations: The variety of labels can lead to consumer confusion and inconsistencies in rigor between schemes. Critics note differences in criteria and testing methods, which can allow for greenwashing. Readers are advised to review the issuing body and the specific criteria behind any Umweltlabel.