(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 for each product group.

(3)

Commission Decision 2010/18/EC (2) has established the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for wooden floor coverings, which are valid until 31 December 2016.

(4)

For the purpose of better reflecting the range of wood-, cork- and bamboo-based floor coverings on the market and the state of the art for these products, and to take into account the innovation of the last few years, it is considered appropriate to modify the name and scope of the product group and to establish a revised set of EU Ecolabel criteria.

(5)

The revised EU Ecolabel criteria aim at using materials produced in a more sustainable way based on a life cycle analysis approach limiting the energy consumed and the use of hazardous compounds, the levels of hazardous residues, the contribution of the floor coverings to indoor air pollution and promoting durable and high-quality products. The revised criteria, along with the related assessment and verification requirements should be valid for six years from the date of notification of this Decision, taking into account the innovation cycle for this product group.

(6)

A code corresponding to the product group is an integral part of the EU Ecolabel registration numbers. In order for the competent bodies to be able to assign an EU Ecolabel registration number to wood-, cork-, and bamboo-based floor coverings complying with the EU Ecolabel criteria, it is necessary to assign a code number to that product group.

(7)

Decision 2010/18/EC should therefore be repealed.

(8)

It is appropriate to allow a transitional period for producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for wooden floor coverings on the basis of the ecological criteria set out in Decision 2010/18/EC, so that they have sufficient time to adapt their product to comply with the revised criteria requirements. Producers should also be allowed to submit applications based on the ecological criteria set out in Decision 2010/18/EC for a sufficient period of time.

(9)

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,