Certifying Environmental Excellence with the Official EU Voluntary Label: EU Ecolabel for Cosmetic Products
Interview with Kristin Stechemesser,
Research Associate, German Environment Agency
The EU Ecolabel is the official environmental label of the European Union, introduced by the European Commission in 1992 and awarded, among other things, to cosmetic products. The label will be on display at the CosmeticBusiness in Munich on 10–11 June 2026 (Hall 2, Stand A13). Below you can read an interview with Dr Kristin Stechemesser from the German Environment Agency. You can gain further insights into the topic during her presentation at the trade fair on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 12:10 pm in the Green Area in Hall 2.
I have searched for the EU Ecolabel for cosmetic products. I have found the following document “COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2021/1870 of 22 October 2021 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products and animal care products”. This sounds very abstract. Can you explain the EU Ecolabel in more detail?
This mentioned document is the official name of the criteria set for cosmetic products. The EU Ecolabel was launched by the European Commission in March 1992 to identify environmentally friendly products and services across Europe. The current legal basis is Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 – and we can say: worldwide there are not so many ecolabels with an official regulation behind. The aim of this regulation is to expand the availability of environmentally friendly products and services and to enable consumers and procurers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. In article 4 of this regulation, it is written that every member state must designate competent bodies. Germany has two competent bodies: the German Environment Agency and the RAL gGmbH.
As I understand it correctly, there are several product groups, right?
Yes, this is right. Today, the EU Ecolabel covers 25 product groups and more than 3,000 licensed companies, with almost 120,000 awarded products and services. It is a wide range of products, including laundry detergents and cleaning products, textiles, paints and varnishes, services for tourist accommodation establishments and campsites and cosmetic products.
Which cosmetics can be awarded the EU Ecolabel?
On the one hand rinse-off products, such as soaps, shampoos, shower preparations, hair conditioners, shaving preparations and toothpaste can be awarded with the EU Ecolabel. On the other hand, leave-on products, such as creams and oils, skincare lotions, hairstyling products, sunscreen products, decorative cosmetics, personal deodorants and antiperspirants can be certified with the EU Ecolabel.
Can you explain in more detail the criteria behind the EU Ecolabel for cosmetic products?
The EU Ecolabel guarantees a low toxicity to aquatic organisms and that the products contain biodegradable ingredients.
Moreover, there is a ban on substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction, and on substances of very high concern. Additionally, nanomaterials, substances identified or suspected of having endocrine-disrupting properties, microplastics, phthalates and perfluorinated or polyfluorinated substances are forbidden. Furthermore, the criteria set includes stringent restrictions on substances that are hazardous to the environment, or sensitizing, as well as on fragrances, preservatives, colorants and UV filters.
Another focus is on minimized and easy-to-recycle packaging. This means that unnecessary packaging and packaging materials or combinations of materials that cannot be recycled are forbidden. Moreover, we are addressing the sales of refills and the use of recycled material.
In the last years the percentage of renewable raw materials in cosmetic products is increasing, but not all of them are sustainable sourced. Thus, we have a requirement for sustainably sourced palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives.
The last criterion is addressing the performance of cosmetic products. The certified products must have a good product performance and user satisfaction that is validated by standardized tests or consumer tests.
Why should a company choose the EU Ecolabel?
From our perspective there are several reasons to decide for the EU Ecolabel. Firstly, it showcases true ‘green’ products with a demonstrated reduced impact on the environment, preventing greenwashing. Secondly, it empowers consumers and procurers in making sustainable choices. Thirdly, it boosts responsible, competitive and innovative businesses. Fourthly, it guarantees compliance with new legislation on ecodesign, sustainability labelling and claims. Lastly, it allows market actors to contribute to a circular, climate neutral and clean economy.
You mentioned that the EU Ecolabel complies with legislation on sustainability labelling. I have heard about the regulation on empowering consumers for the green transition. Is this the regulation that you mentioned and what does it mean?
Yes, I mean the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive. The aim of this regulation is seeking to tighten the rules on greenwashing and ecolabels. If companies decide for the EU Ecolabel to prove the environmental credentials of their goods or services, companies are sure to comply with this legislation. The advantage of the EU Ecolabel is that it is a reliable third-party certification allowed on the market and that it is one of the labels to demonstrate generic claims on overall environmental excellence. This is very important because a company can call an EU Ecolabel certified cosmetic product “green” and also the name of the product can include “eco” or similar which is otherwise forbidden.
And in which countries can I find EU Ecolabel certified products?
The EU Ecolabel is recognized in all 27 EU Member States as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
A crucial question for businesses: What does it cost to get an EU Ecolabel certification?
In general, the costs for a certification differ from member state to member state. But all member states differentiate between an application fee and an annual fee. The application fee must be paid when submitting an application for the EU Ecolabel. In Germany the applicant shall pay €1,800 plus VAT. We have lower prices for small and medium-sized enterprises ad for micro-enterprises. After the application has been successfully checked and a contract on the use of the ecolabel has been concluded, an annual fee must also be paid. The annual fee shall be 0.15 percent of the annual value of community-wide sales of the EU Ecolabel certified product. The minimum annual fee shall be €300 per contract. The maximum annual fee per calendar year shall be €25,000 per product group per applicant.
This sounds very interesting. Who should companies contact to apply for the EU Ecolabel?
Please contact our certification body the RAL gGmbH. My colleague Sebastian Burck is responsible for this product group and welcomes new applications.
www.eu-ecolabel.de (German webpage) www.eu-ecolabel.de/en (English webpage)
