miljømerkede

Miljømerkede refers to products and services that carry an official environmental label indicating compliance with defined criteria designed to reduce environmental impact. In Norway and the broader Nordic region, the term is commonly used for ecolabels that certify performance across a product’s life cycle, from production to disposal.

The most widely recognized ecolabels include the Nordic Swan Ecolabel (Svanen), used across Nordic countries, and the EU Ecolabel (the Flower), applied across the European Union. Other labels exist at national or sector levels, addressing specific product groups such as cleaning products, textiles, electronics, foods, or building materials. Labels are typically voluntary and aim to help consumers identify more sustainable options while encouraging manufacturers to improve environmental performance.

Criteria for miljømerkede products generally cover multiple life-cycle aspects. This can include sustainable sourcing of raw materials, energy and water use during production, emissions to air and water, waste generation and recycling, packaging burden, and sometimes social criteria such as labor practices. Certification requires independent, third-party verification, with initial assessment followed by regular surveillance and periodic re-certification to ensure ongoing compliance.

Impact and limitations: ecolabels provide information to consumers and can drive market shifts toward lower-impact products. However, criteria and stringency vary between labels, and there is potential for greenwashing if transparency is lacking. Credible schemes publish criteria and assessment results and require monitoring to maintain the label.

See also: Nordic Swan Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel.