(1)

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 lays down rules for the establishment and application of the voluntary EU Ecolabel scheme, which is intended to promote goods and services that have a high level of environmental performance.

(2)

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

(3)

The proposal to develop EU Ecolabel criteria for indoor cleaning services was put forward by industry representatives from the professional cleaning sector. On that basis, the Commission initiated and led the development of such criteria.

(4)

It is appropriate to establish EU Ecolabel criteria for indoor cleaning services with a view to promoting the use of cleaning products and accessories with a low environmental impact, the training of staff in environmental matters, the bases of an environmental management system and the correct sorting of waste.

(5)

The EU Ecolabel criteria established for indoor cleaning services, as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, should be valid for five 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. For the competent bodies to be able to assign an EU Ecolabel registration number to indoor cleaning services complying with the EU Ecolabel criteria, a code needs to be assigned to that product group.

(7)

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