milieukeur

Milieukeur is the Dutch environmental label used to identify products and services with a lower environmental impact than comparable alternatives. The goal is to help consumers make more sustainable choices and to encourage producers to improve their environmental performance.

The label is administered by Stichting Milieukeur (SMK), an independent non-profit organization established to promote sustainable consumption in the Netherlands. Eligibility is determined by a set of criteria that cover the product life cycle, from materials and manufacturing to packaging, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal. The criteria assess factors such as resource use, emissions, energy efficiency, and avoidance of hazardous substances. Criteria are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect advances in science and policy.

Products, packaging or services seeking Milieukeur must be evaluated by an accredited certification body, and compliance is verified through on-site audits and documentation checks. The Milieukeur mark appears on a variety of consumer goods and household products, with coverage varying by product category. The program operates in a market that also includes other labels such as the EU Ecolabel, and some products may carry more than one mark when they meet multiple schemes.

Public authorities and buyers in the Netherlands have used Milieukeur as a reference in procurement and policy discussions on sustainable consumption. The label emphasizes practical environmental improvements while aiming to be accessible to consumers and industry.