2023-06-17 17:53:20
It is everywhere, on detergents, cleaning products, tissues, shower gel, baby diapers or on paintings. The European Ecolabel logo is affixed to 23 product categories, from DIY stores to supermarkets (with the exception of food and pharmaceutical products). France is also the second country in Europe, behind Italy, with the most certified items or services. But what does it mean?
Created in 1992 by the European Commission, this eco-label can be used in all EU member countries. It aims to design and promote objects that respect the environment and health. “His great strength is that he has a product life cycle approach (from the extraction of raw materials to their use, including their manufacture) and multi-impact”, specifies Emily Spiesser, from the consumption and prevention department of Ademe, the Ecological Transition Agency.
And to list all the advantages: “The certification is carried out by a third party, the specifications are reviewed every four years on average. There are also usability tests to check that the product cleans well or is strong. It thus takes into account performance and quality, as well as health aspects and, for certain categories, social aspects. “He will act to limit substances dangerous to health, sometimes beyond the regulations”, underlines Emily Spiesser.
“One of the most complete”
The criteria taken into account are obviously different depending on the type of product. If we look at the paint, it “must not exceed a maximum content of titanium dioxide” (…) nor contain “toxic ingredients, dangerous for the environment, respiratory or skin sensitizers, carcinogens, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction at more than 0.01% by mass” while “the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and semi-volatile (SVOC) in the finished product is limited (between 10 and 80 g/l in depending on the type of paint). »
Criteria also make it possible to guarantee an extension of its lifespan: resistance to water, wear or adhesion to the wall are thus tested. In short, a trustworthy label.
Its weak points are few. “On paints, for example, it should be a little more demanding on volatile organic compounds, once the product is applied, points out Emily Spiesser. But for me, it’s one of the most complete labels. »
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