As a procurement officer, your work can be challenging—managing complex requirements, ensuring compliance, and meeting sustainability targets. The EU Ecolabel can simplify your task by offering reliable, science-based solutions that streamline the procurement process while supporting your organisation’s environmental objectives.

• Simplifies the preparation of calls for competition. Public buyers can indicate in calls that the goods and services procured shall be EU Ecolabel certified. Alternatively, they may define the technical specifications and/or the award criteria in the call for competition by referencing the relevant EU Ecolabel criteria.
• Aids in verifying bid content. EU Ecolabelgoods and services are already assessed against rigorous environmental requirements and are deemed compliant with the technical specifications and/or the award criteria. This reduces the burden of verification during the evaluation process.
• Promotes the use of criteria which are science-based and reliable. The EU Ecolabel criteria are developed through extensive research and stakeholder consultations. They are adopted through a legal act and are updated regularly.
• Allows cost-effective solutions. Choosing EU Ecolabel-certified goods and services doesn’t necessarily mean exceeding your budget. These goods and services are often competitively priced compared to their non-labelled counterparts.
• Guarantees legislative compatibility. The EU Ecolabel meets the conditions for being used as means of proof outlined in European Union legislation (Article 43 of Directive 2014/24 and Article 61 of Directive 2014/25).  
• Enhances the environmental credentials of your organisation among stakeholders and the public.

Webinar – Why should public procurers choose EU Ecolabel certified products? (2025)

Check out the webinar recording to hear from procurement experts and discover success stories:

Browse the speaker presentations:

• Marta Toporek – European Commission
• Anna Linusson – Ecolabelling Sweden
• Martina Ferrara – Punto 3
• Celine Scheuer – ADEME
• Ida Ginsborg – City of Copenhagen
• Anne Bentz – 3AR
• Thomas Gillesberger – Format Werk Austria
• Park Bao – Diversey, a Solenis company
• Paula Pérez-López – Joint Research Centre, European Commission

“Practical guides for the use of the EU Ecolabel in the green public procurement” developed for specific goods and services help procurers to draw up technical specifications and/or award criteria by identifying “ready-to-use” EU Ecolabel criteria to be incorporated in the calls.

Existing/planned practical guides:

• Absorbent hygiene products, Background report
• Graphic paper, Background report
• Hard-covering products, Background report
• Printed paper, stationery paper and paper carrier bag products (to be available in 2025)
• Reusable menstrual cups (to be available in 2025)
• Tissue paper and tissue paper products, Background report

Green procurement offers advantages for actors in the private sector willing to be part of the green transition. It enhances a company’s public image by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, which can attract environmentally conscious customers and investors. Moreover, adopting green procurement practices often leads to cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and innovative sustainable solutions.