The EU Ecolabel – Smithers Pira offers support to tissue companies

29 March 2011

Overview

A recent study undertaken by Defra across 10 different market sectors and 32 products and services revealed a staggering 4,492 environmental claims! Further, the Ecolabel Index also reveals 373 ecolabels used world-wide across 25 categories which range from financial services to forest products and electronics to energy.

It is of little wonder that customers complain about 'green washing' or question the integrity of an environmental claim.

What is the EU Ecolabel?

The European Ecolabel, established in 1992, sets demanding criteria at a European level following wide consultation, with the label itself only awarded after verification that the product meets the highest environmental and performance standards. Only the very best products, which are kindest to the environment, are entitled to carry the EU Ecolabel. In short, the EU Ecolabel is a label that consumers can genuinely trust !

The EU Ecolabel encourages businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products and services awarded the Ecolabel carry the flower logo, allowing consumers - including public and private purchasers - to identify them easily. Today the EU Ecolabel covers a wide range of products and services, including tissue paper.

For tissue paper, the criteria aim in particular at:

• The reduction of discharges of toxic or eutrophic substances into water
• The reduction of environmental damage or risks relating to the use of energy
• The reduction of environmental damage or risks related to the use of hazardous chemicals
• Encouraging the use of sustainable fibres
• Application of sustainable management principles in order to safeguard forests

Smithers Pira works closely with tissue companies wanting to gain their EU Eco-label award. This includes developing and presenting the evidence to fulfil the EU Ecolabel criteria ('the dossier') as well as testing to meet product safety criteria.