As follow up to the previous European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) meeting in November 2021, the Board organised a virtual open session on 9 March 2022.
The event included a panel on the “Draft Commission decision prolonging the validity of EU Ecolabel criteria for indoor and outdoor paints and varnishes, bed mattresses, absorbent hygiene products, furniture and wood-, cork- and bamboo-based floor coverings”. During the meeting, it was understood that it will be important to foster alignment with the Sustainable Products Initiative (publication on 30 March) and provisions covering Ecolabel. Therefore, additional information on the extension of Ecolabel criteria should be discussed at the next EUEB meeting (expected for May 2022).
Several derogation requests were also discussed and interested stakeholders were granted the possibility to provide additional data on actual formulations, until 1 April.
Background
The Commission published a decision in 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for ecolabel for indoor and outdoor paints and varnishes, with four years validity. In 2018, this was amended to extend the validity period until 31 December 2022. The Commission is now considering the prolongation of the validity after 2022. In the meantime, several amendments were adopted, addressing preservatives, among others.
