The European Commission adopted this Thursday new criteria for the European Union (EU) eco-label for absorbent hygiene products and reusable menstrual cups, with stricter limits on polluting emissions, ensuring that they have a reduced environmental impact.
In a statement, the community executive reports that it has today adopted “updated criteria for the granting of the EU eco-label to absorbent hygiene products, reinforcing existing standards for tampons, pads and diapers, and proposing new criteria for cups.” reusable menstrual pads”.
These new criteria “aim to ensure that absorbent hygiene products and menstrual cups that benefit from the voluntary Community Ecolabel, the official EU label for environmental excellence, are of high quality and have a reduced environmental impact” , adds the institution.
The updated criteria include limits on impacts on air, water, soil and biodiversity, as well as those related to damage or risks related to the use of chemicals, throughout the entire life cycle of the products.
“For example, in the case of absorbent hygiene products, strict limits are imposed on emissions of air and water pollutants from the production of lint, as well as on carbon dioxide emissions,” says the European Commission.
While fiber requirements aim to promote sourcing from sustainably managed forests, bans are also introduced for hazardous substances such as antibacterial agents, formaldehyde, parabens, endocrine disruptors and phthalates.
EU eco-label tampons, pads, diapers and menstrual cups also do not contain fragrances or lotions that may cause allergies.
In addition to these environmental aspects, the new requirements include suitability for use criteria, to guarantee the quality of the products and mandatory third-party verification of the company’s social responsibility at the place of manufacturing with regard to the labor aspects, says Brussels.
The EU Ecolabel was created to assure European consumers that the product in question meets strict environmental criteria, is third-party verified and recognized in all EU countries.
Currently, more than 37,000 products sold on the European market carry the EU eco-label.
To obtain it, companies must apply for it and pay an initial and annual fee.
Source: TSF
