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. The criteria furthermore aim at reducing the energy consumption from laundering by promoting products that are efficient at low temperatures.

CRITERIA

Criteria are set for each of the following aspects:

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), et cetera 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 4(b) on excluded or limited substances and mixtures.

Ingoing substances are defined as all substances in the product including additives (e.g. preservatives or stabilisers) 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.

Where the dosage instruction on the package has specifications for both prewash and subsequent wash (in addition to a normal, single wash), the total dosage (prewash + wash) shall also comply with the ecological 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 for this product group shall be expressed in g/kg wash (grams per kilo wash).

3.    Reference dosage

For ‘heavy-duty detergents’ and ‘colour-safe detergents’ the dosage recommended by the manufacturer to consumers for the water hardness of 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l and ‘normally soiled’ textiles is taken as the reference dosage for the calculation of the ecological criteria, and for the testing of washing performance. For heavy-duty detergents and colour-safe detergents this is related to the dosage per 4,5 kg load (dry textiles) in the washing machine.

For ‘low-duty detergents’ the dosage recommended by the manufacturer to consumers for the water hardness of 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l and ‘lightly soiled’ textiles is taken as the reference dosage for the calculation of the ecological criteria, and for the testing of washing performance. For low-duty detergents this is related to the dosage per 2,5 kg load (dry textiles) in the washing machine.

If the recommended dosage is stated for other wash load sizes than the above, the reference dosage used for calculation of the ecological criteria must, however, correspond to the average load size. If the water hardness of 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l is not relevant in the Member States in which the detergent is marketed, the applicant shall specify the dosage used as the reference.

Requirements relating to assessment and verification of (2) Functional unit and (3) Reference dosage: The full formulation indicating trade name, chemical name, CAS No, DID No ( *1 ), the ingoing quantity including and excluding water and the 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 —    Dosage requirements

The dosage corresponds to the recommended dosage in g/kg wash (powders/tablets) or ml/kg wash (liquids). The recommended dosage for a water hardness of 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l for normally soiled textiles (heavy-duty detergents, colour-safe detergents) and lightly soiled textiles (low-duty detergents), respectively, shall be used.

The dosage shall not exceed the following amounts:

If recommendations for both prewash and subsequent wash apply, the total recommended dosage (prewash + subsequent wash) shall comply with the maximum dosage level.

Assessment and verification: Full formulation of the product, label or artwork including dosage instructions. The density (g/ml) shall be stated for all products (either on the packaging or in a Safety Data Sheet).

Criterion 2 —    Toxicity to aquatic organisms: Critical Dilution Volume (CDV)

The critical dilution volume of the product shall not exceed the following limits (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 3 —    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 on 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 4 —    Excluded or limited substances and 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 preparation 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 the Article 6(6) of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on 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.

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) of the Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 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 4b 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 5 —    Packaging requirements

(a)    Weight/utility ratio (WUR)

The weight/utility ratio (WUR) of the product shall not exceed the following values:

WUR shall be calculated only for primary packaging (including caps, stoppers and hand pumps/spraying devices) using the formula below:

Where:

Wi

=

the weight (g) of the packaging component (i) including the label if applicable.

Ui

=

the weight (g) of non-recycled (virgin) material in the packaging component (i). If the proportion of recycled material in the packaging component is 0 % then Ui = Wi.

Di

=

the number of functional units contained in the packaging component (i). The functional unit = dosage in g/kg wash.

ri

=

recycling figure, i.e. the number of times the packaging component (i) is used for the same purpose through a return or refill system. The default value for r is set to 1 (= no re-use). Only if the applicant can document that the packaging component is re-used for the same purpose, a higher value for r can be used in the calculation.

Exceptions:

Plastic/paper/cardboard packaging containing more than 80 % recycled material is exempted from this requirement.

Packaging is regarded as recycled if the raw material used to make the packaging has been collected from packaging manufacturers at the distribution stage or at the consumer stage. Where the raw material is industrial waste from the material manufacturer’s own production process, then the material will not be regarded as recycled.

Assessment and verification: Calculation of the WUR of the product. A spreadsheet for this calculation is available on the EU Ecolabel website. Account on the content for recycled material in the packaging. For approval of refill packaging, the applicant and/or retailer shall document that the refills will be/are available for purchase on the market.

(b)    Plastic packaging

Only phthalates that at the time of application have been risk assessed and have not been classified according to criterion 4(b) (and combinations hereof) may be used in the plastic packaging.

(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.

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

Criterion 6 —    Washing performance (fitness for use)

The product shall comply with the performance requirements as specified for the relevant product type according to the EU Ecolabel laundry detergents performance test’s latest version that can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ecolabelled_products/categories/laundry_detergents_en.htm

Assessment and verification: The applicant shall provide a test report indicating that the product fulfils the minimum requirements defined in this test.

Criterion 7 —    Points

(a)    Heavy-duty laundry detergents, Colour-safe laundry detergents

A minimum of 3 points shall be achieved from the matrix below. The maximum achievable points are 8 points for coldwater products, 7 points for low-temperature products and 6 points for other products.

(b)    Low-duty laundry detergents

A minimum of 3 points shall be achieved from the matrix below. The maximum achievable points are 8 points for coldwater products, 7 points for low-temperature products and 6 points for other products.

Assessment and verification: Calculation of the sum of points achieved for the product. A spreadsheet for this calculation is available on the EU Ecolabel website.

Criterion 8 —    Consumer information

(a)    Dosage instructions

The recommended dosages shall be specified for ‘normally’ and ‘heavily’ soiled textiles and various water hardness’ ranges relevant to the countries concerned and referred as appropriate to the weight of textile. (Not applicable for stain removers).

The difference between the dosage recommendations for the lowest water hardness range (soft) for normally soiled textiles and the highest water hardness range (hard) for heavily soiled textiles may not differ by more than a factor of 2. (Not applicable for stain removers).

The reference dosage used for the washing performance test and for assessment of compliance with the ecological criteria on ingredients shall be the same as the recommended dosage on the package for ‘normally soiled’ textiles and a water hardness corresponding to 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l.

Where only water hardness lower than 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l are included in the recommendations, the maximum dosage recommended for ‘normally soiled’ shall be lower than the reference dosage used in the washing performance test (water hardness 2,5 mmol CaCO3/l).

(b)    Information on the packaging

The following washing recommendations (or equivalent) shall appear on the packaging of EU Ecolabelled products within the product group except pre-treatment stain removers. The washing recommendations may be present either as text or symbols:

Using this EU Ecolabelled product according to the dosage instructions will contribute to the reduction of water pollution, waste production and energy consumption.’

(c)    Claims on the packaging

In general, claims on the packaging shall be documented either through performance testing or other relevant documentation (e.g. claims of efficiency at low temperatures, claims of removal of certain stain types, claims of benefits for certain types or colours of textile or other claims of specific properties/benefits of the product).

(d)    Information on the packaging — additional requirements for stain removers

The removal of stains, for which no performance test has been conducted, shall not be claimed on the product.

Assessment and verification (a-d): The applicant shall provide a sample of the product label, together with a declaration of compliance with this criterion. Product claims shall be documented through appropriate test reports or other relevant documentation.

Criterion 9 —    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 2 and 3. See Appendix I.

( 1 ) OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.