ANNEX

FRAMEWORK

The aims of the criteria

The criteria aim, in particular, at promoting products that have a reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems, contain a limited amount of hazardous substances and whose performance has been tested.

CRITERIA

These criteria cover the following areas:

1.    Assessment and verification

(a)    Requirements

The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.

Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show compliance with the criteria, it is understood that these may originate from the applicant, and/or his supplier(s), and/or their supplier(s), etc., as appropriate.

Where possible, the testing should be performed by laboratories that meet the general requirements of EN ISO 17025 or equivalent.

Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if the competent body assessing the application accepts their equivalence.

Appendix I makes reference to the detergent ingredient database (DID list) which contains the most widely used ingredients used in detergent formulations. It shall be used for deriving the data for the calculations of the Critical Dilution Volume (CDV) and for the assessment of the biodegradability of the ingredients. For substances not present on the DID list, guidance is given on how to calculate or extrapolate the relevant data. The latest version of the DID list is available from the EU Ecolabel website or via the websites of the individual competent bodies.

Where appropriate, competent bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifications.

(b)    Measurement thresholds

Constituent substances the concentration of which exceeds 0,010 % by weight of the preparation shall comply with the ecological criteria.

For preservatives, colouring agents and fragrance compliance with the criteria is required regardless of their concentration except for criterion 2(b) on the content of hazardous substances and mixtures.

Ingoing substances are defined as all substances in the product including additives (e.g. preservatives or stabilizers) in the ingredients. Impurities resulting from the raw material production, which are present in concentrations > 0,010 % by weight of the final formulation shall also comply with the criteria.

If the product has a water-soluble foil intended not to be removed before washing, the foil must be considered to be part of the product formulation in all requirements.

2.    Functional unit

The functional unit shall be the quantity of product required to wash 12 place settings with a standard soil (as defined by DIN or ISO standards).

3.    Reference dosage

The dosage recommended by the manufacturer to consumers for normally soiled dishes and 12 place settings is taken as a reference dosage under standard conditions, as laid down in the IKW washing performance test referred to in criterion 5.

Requirements relating to assessment and verification of (2) Functional unit and (3) Reference dosage: The full formulation comprising trade name, chemical name, CAS No, DID No ( *1 ), ingoing quantity including and excluding water, and function of all the ingoing ingredients (regardless of concentration) in the product must be submitted to the competent body. A sample of the artwork including dosage recommendations must be submitted to the competent body.

Safety data sheets for each ingredient shall be submitted to the competent body in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ).

The DID list can be found on the EU Ecolabel website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ecolabelled_products/categories/did_list_en.htm

EU ECOLABEL CRITERIA

Criterion 1 –    Total chemicals

Total chemicals (TC) are the recommended dosage in g/wash minus the water content.

The amount of total chemicals shall not exceed the following amounts:

When calculating the CDV, aNBO and anNBO a dosage of rinse aid of 3 ml shall be used.

Assessment and verification: Calculation of the TC of the product. The density (g/ml) shall be stated for liquid products.

Criterion 2 –    Excluded or limited substances or mixtures

(a)    Specified excluded ingredients

The following ingredients must not be included in the product, neither as part of the formulation nor as part of any mixture included in the formulation:

Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a completed and signed declaration of compliance.

(b)    Hazardous substances and mixtures

According to Article 6(6) of the Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel, the product or any part of it thereof shall not contain substances or mixtures meeting the criteria for classification with the hazard classes or categories in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 specified below nor shall it contain substances referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

List of hazard statements:

This criterion applies to all ingredients present in concentrations ≥ 0,010 %, including preservatives, colouring agents and fragrances.

The use of substances or mixtures which upon processing change their properties (e.g. become no longer bioavailable, undergo chemical modification) in a way that the identified hazard no longer applies are exempted from the above requirement.

Derogations: the following substances or mixtures are specifically exempted from this requirement:

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide the exact formulation of the product to the competent body. The applicant shall also provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion, together with related documentation, such as declarations of compliance signed by the material suppliers and copies of relevant Safety Data Sheets for substances or mixtures.

For derogated surfactants meeting the criteria for classification with the hazard classes H412, the applicant shall provide documentation for their degradability making reference to the DID list. For surfactants not included in the DID list, reference shall be done to the relevant information from literature or other sources, or appropriate test results, as described in Appendix I.

(c)    Substances listed in accordance with Article 59(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

No derogation from the exclusion in Article 6(6) shall be given concerning substances identified as substances of very high concern and included in the list foreseen in Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 present in mixtures in concentrations higher than 0,010 %.

Assessment and verification: The list of substances identified as substances of very high concern and included in the candidate list in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 can be found here: http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/authorisation_process/candidate_list_table_en.asp

Reference to the list shall be made on the date of application. The applicant shall provide the exact formulation of the product to the competent body. The applicant shall also provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion, together with related documentation, such as declarations of compliance signed by the material suppliers and copies of relevant Safety Data Sheets for substances or mixtures.

(d)    Specified limited ingredients – fragrances

Any ingredients added to the product as a fragrance shall be manufactured and handled following the code of practice of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). The code can be found on IFRA website: http://www.ifraorg.org.

The recommendations of the IFRA Standards concerning prohibition, restricted use and specified purity criteria for materials shall be followed by the manufacturer.

Fragrance substances subject to the declaration requirement provided for in Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on detergents (Annex VII) and which are not already excluded by criterion 2b and (other) fragrance substances classified H317/R43 (May cause allergic skin reaction) and/or H334/R42 (May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled) shall not be present in quantities ≥ 0,010 % (≥ 100 ppm) per substance.

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide a signed declaration of compliance indicating the amount of fragrances in the product. The applicant shall also provide a declaration from the fragrance manufacturer specifying the content of each of the substances in the fragrances which are listed in Annex III, Part I to Council Directive 76/768/EEC as well as the content of (other) substances which have been assigned the risk phrases H317/R43 and/or H334/R42.

(e)    Biocides

Criterion 3 –    Toxicity to aquatic organisms: Critical Dilution Volume (CDV)

The critical dilution volume (CDVchronic) of the product must not exceed the following limits for CDVchronic:

The critical dilution volume toxicity (CDVchronic) is calculated for all ingredients (i) in the product using the following equation:

where

weight (i)

=

the weight of the ingredient per recommended dose

DF

=

the degradation factor

TF

=

the chronic toxicity factor of the substance as stated in the DID list.

Preservatives, colouring agents and fragrances present in the product shall also be included in the CDV calculation even if the concentration is lower than 0,010 % (100 ppm).

Assessment and verification: Calculation of the CDVchronic of the product. A spreadsheet for calculation of the CDV value is available on the EU Ecolabel website.

The values of the DF and TF parameters shall be as given in the Detergent Ingredient Database list (DID list). If the substance is not found on the DID list, the parameters shall be calculated using the guidelines in Part B of the DID list and attaching the associated documentation.

Criterion 4 –    Biodegradability of organics

The content of organic substances in the product that are aerobically non-biodegradable (not readily biodegradable) (aNBO) and/or anaerobically non-biodegradable (anNBO) shall not exceed the following limits:

Assessment and verification: Calculation of aNBO and anNBO for the product. A spreadsheet for use in calculating aNBO and anNBO values is available at the EU Ecolabel website.

Refer to the DID list. For ingredients which are not included in the DID list, the relevant information from literature or other sources, or appropriate test results, showing that they are aerobically and anaerobically biodegradable shall be provided. See Appendix I.

Note that TAED should be considered anaerobically biodegradable.

Criterion 5 –    Washing performance (fitness for use)

The product shall have a satisfactory washing performance at the recommended dosage according to the standard test developed by IKW or the standard EN 50242 as modified as follows.

The tests shall be carried out at 55 °C or at a lower temperature if the product claims to be efficient at this temperature.

When applying for rinse aids in combination with dishwasher detergents, the rinse aid shall be used in the test instead of the reference rinse aid.

For multifunctional products the applicant must submit documentation proving the effect of the claimed functions.

Assessment and verification: The test report shall be submitted to the Competent Body. A test other than the IKW test or the modified version of EN 50242 may be used if the Competent Body assessing the application accepts its equivalence.

If EN 50242:2008 is used, the following modifications shall apply:

If rinse aid and salt functions are a part of a multifunctional product the effect must be documented by test.

The applicant must be able to document the effect of other functions in multifunctional detergents.

Criterion 6 –    Packaging requirements

(a)    Primary packaging per functional unit

Primary packaging shall not exceed 2,0 grams per wash.

(b)    Cardboard packaging

Cardboard primary packaging shall consist of ≥ 80 % recycled material.

(c)    Labelling of plastic packaging

To allow for identification of different parts of the packaging for recycling, plastic parts in the primary packaging must be marked in accordance with DIN 6120, Part 2 or the equivalent. Caps and pumps are exempted from this requirement.

(d)    Plastic packaging

Only phthalates that at the time of application have been risk assessed and have not been classified according to criterion 2(b) may be used in the plastic packaging.

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide the calculation of the quantity of primary packaging and a declaration regarding the percentage of recycled material in cardboard packaging to the competent body. The applicant shall provide completed and signed declaration of compliance with 6d.

Criterion 7 –    Consumer information

(a)    Information on the packaging

The following text (or equivalent) shall appear on or in the product:

‘This Ecolabelled detergent works well at low temperatures ( *2 ). Select low temperature washing cycles on the dishwasher, wash full loads and do not exceed the recommended dosage. This will minimise both energy and water consumption and reduce water pollution.

(b)    Dosage instructions

Dosage instructions shall appear on the product packages. The recommended dosages shall be specified for the ranges of water hardness appropriate to where the product is marketed. The instructions shall specify how to make best use of the product according to the soil.

The applicant shall take suitable steps to help the consumer respect the recommended dosage, for example by making available a dosage device (for powdered or liquid products), and/or by indicating the recommended dosage at least in ml (for powdered or liquid products).

(c)    Information and labelling of ingredients

The type of enzymes shall be indicated on the packaging.

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide a sample of the product label together with a declaration of compliance with each Part (a), (b) and (c) of this criterion.

Criterion 8 –    Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel

Optional label with text box shall contain the following text:

The guidelines for the use of the optional label with text box can be found in the ‘Guidelines for use of the Ecolabel logo’ on the website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/promo/logos_en.htm

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide a sample of the label.

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( *1 ) DID No is the number of the ingredient on the DID list (‘Detergent Ingredient Database’ list), and is used in determining compliance with criteria 3 and 4. See Appendix I.

( 1 ) OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

( *2 ) The applicant shall insert here the recommended temperature or range of temperatures that shall not exceed 55 °C.’