(1)

Under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel may be awarded to products which have a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle.

(2)

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 provides that specific EU Ecolabel criteria are to be established according to product groups.

(3)

Commission Decision 2006/799/EC (2) and Commission Decision 2007/64/EC (3) have established the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for soil improvers and growing media, respectively, which are valid until 31 December 2015.

(4)

In order to better reflect the state of the art of the market for these product groups and take into account the innovation of the last years, it is considered appropriate to merge both product groups into one product group and add mulch to its scope, as it is distinguished as a type of soil improver with particular characteristics and functions.

(5)

The revised criteria, as well as the related assessment and verification requirements should be valid for 4 years from the date of adoption of this Decision, taking into account the innovation cycle for this product group. These criteria aim at promoting the recycling of materials, the use of renewable and recycled materials, thus reducing environmental degradation, and decreasing soil and water pollution by means of establishing strict limits on pollutants concentrations in the final product.

(6)

Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC should therefore be replaced by this Decision.

(7)

A transitional period should be allowed for producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for soil improvers and growing media on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2006/799/EC and Decision 2007/64/EC, respectively, so that they have sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with the revised criteria and requirements.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,