The EU Ecolabel
The EU Ecolabel, the EU’s label of environmental excellence, is recognised in all EU Member States as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The label, part of a voluntary scheme introduced in 1992 by EU Regulation EEC No 880/92, acts as a reference for consumers who want to play their part in reducing pollution by purchasing environmentally friendly goods and services.
The EU Ecolabel is awarded
The EU Ecolabel is awarded to goods and services which have a reduced environmental impact compared to the market average, without compromising the product’s safety or usability.
Look for this label when you go shopping:
A reliable label for goods and services
What the label offers:
- Europe-wide: the EU Ecolabel has been awarded to some 120,000 goods and services.
- In Germany (as at March 2026) around 11,000 products have been certified.
- Broad spectrum: certified products range from detergents, hygiene and tissue papers, to textiles, electrical equipment, floor coverings, paints and varnishes.
- Services: services like hotels, accommodation providers and camping sites are also eligible for the label.
Highest quality category: The EU Ecolabel is an ISO 14024 Type I environmental label, corresponding to the highest environmental standard. The German government's Blue Angel label, created in 1978, also belongs to this category.
Award of the EU Ecolabel
Use of the EU Ecolabel is voluntary. To be awarded the label for a good or service, the following steps must be taken:
1. Application:
- Manufacturers, importers, service providers and retailers can apply to the national competent body for the EU Ecolabel. RAL gGmbH is the competent body in Germany.
- An application must be submitted to the competent body of the Member State where the product originated, was initially placed on the market or was imported to from a non-member country. If the product originates in the same form in several Member States, the application can be submitted in any one of those countries.
2. Verification and contract:
- The application for the EU Ecolabel only has to be submitted to one competent body. Once the product has been verified, the terms-of-use contract applies throughout the EU.
- The first letters of the licence number indicate where it was issued (for instance, NL/YXX/ZZZ means the label was awarded by the Dutch competent body).
- RAL gGmbH reviews the submitted documents for compliance with the relevant criteria. If all requirements are met, RAL gGmbH concludes a contract with the licence holder on the use of the EU Ecolabel.
Further information
The EU Ecolabel website provides additional information on:
- award criteria
- goods and service groups, their current validity and who to contact at Germany’s awarding body RAL gGmbH
- the application process and changing or expanding existing contracts.
- the use of the EU Ecolabel logo
- the EU registration procedure. EU Ecolabel external website (as at 5 May 2026).