The EU's ecolabel for environmentally friendly goods and services will enter into force next month following their publication on 30 January in the Official Journal of the European Union. Important changes include even higher environmental standards, lower fees and simplified criteria linked to public purchasing and other EU policies.

The scheme currently covers 26 product groups, including cleaning products, electronic equipment, textiles and tourist accommodation. The European Commission aims to increase the number of product groups to between 40 and 50 by 2015. The new rules include the possibility for Ecolabel criteria to be developed for food and drink products in the future. There will also be greater synergy with other national environmental labels as well as faster criteria development and revision procedures. The EU Ecolabel – the only pan-European environmental label – is a voluntary scheme launched in 1992 to encourage the production and consumption of green goods and services across the European Union. Today, more than 24,000 products and services carry the label's signature Flower logo. The new rules, which were adopted by the Council of Ministers in November, will enter into force 21 days after publication.

Further details on the EU Ecolabel