EU EcolabelNETWORK TOOLKIT

APRIL 2018CLEANING SERVICES

& DETERGENTS

Network Toolkit Detergents & Cleaning Services - April 2018

Dear all,

In this document, you will find Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn posts and hashtags that you can publish directly on your respective social media pages. Feel free to copy-paste, translate or edit these posts when publishing them. You may also communicate on events going on throughout the month of April.

You also have access to three articles which can be copy/pasted and shared across your website and social media pages we encourage you to share this content with your partners like NGOs, journalists or sustainability and lifestyle bloggers or any other media outlets available in your country. Finally, make sure to follow and tag the EU Ecolabel social media pages when publishing on social media, so that we retweet and share posts on our pages.

Please find the EU Ecolabel contact information below: EU Ecolabel HelpdeskTel: +33 (0)1 40 88 70 88Email: ecolabel@bio.deloitte.fr Twitter: @EMAS_EUEcolabelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/EMAS.EUEcolabel/?modal=composerLinkedin: EU EcolabelSite: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm

Best wishes, The EU Ecolabel Helpdesk Team EU Ecolabel HelpdeskTel : +33 (0)1 40 88 70 88www.ecolabel.euE-Catalogue: http://ec.europa.eu/ecat

Contents

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I. SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS........................................................................................................................... 4

1) DETERGENT ARTICLE......................................................................................................................................42) EU ECOLABEL AMBASSADOR: MAISON VERTE..................................................................................................73) EU ECOLABEL AMBASSADOR: MAISON VERTE..................................................................................................94) NEW CRITERIA FOR CLEANING SERVICES.........................................................................................................11

II. SUSTAINABLE EVENTS ON DETERGENTS..............................................................................................13

III. ARTICLES............................................................................................................................................ 14

1) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DETERGENTS & CLEANING SERVICES.....................................................................142) CLEANING SERVICES FACTSHEET....................................................................................................................193) EU ECOLABEL SUCCESS STORY: MAISON VERTE..............................................................................................234) NEW EU ECOLABEL CLEANING SERVICE CRITERIA (TEXT FOR PRESS RELEASE)...................................................265) 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE EU ECOLABEL DETERGENTS: ARTICLE SUBMITTED BY BEUC...............................................28

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I. Social media posts

1) Detergent article

Twitter #DidYouKnow: Washing laundry at 30°C consumes three times less energy than washing at 90°C notes the @ademe. #EUEcolabel detergents such as ones produced by @hagleitner_int are effective and economical in use.

Facebook #EUEcolabel detergent use is highly promoted within the new EU Ecolabel cleaning services criteria, creating synergies amongst the service and product industry: the critiera requires for at least 50% of cleaning products used to be certified by either the EU Ecolabel or another EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabel. Hagleitner is just one of numerous EU Ecolabel detergent companies that could partner with EU Ecolabel cleaning services.

LinkedIn

EU Ecolabel detergents and cleaning services differentiate themselves from conventional detergents and companies:

Are effective and economical/effective in use Excellent performance at 30°C, saving energy and money with

each wash (Laundry detergents) No micro-plastics, phosphates, EDTA, triclosan, and

formaldehyde added Limited use of fragrances Have a reduced environmental impact in water Reduced packaging waste and easier to recycle

The use of EU Ecolabel detergents is highly promoted within the new EU Ecolabel cleaning services criteria, as it requires at least 50% of cleaning products used to be environmentally certified by either the EU Ecolabel or another EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabel. Hagleitner is just one of numerous EU Ecolabel detergent companies that could partner with EU Ecolabel cleaning services.

Performance tests conducted on all EU Ecolabel cleaning products guarantee the high quality and efficiency of all products comparable to conventional detergents. For example, certified products must have a satisfactory cleaning performance, even when used with cold water. Furthermore, the detergent must provide a dosing device to the consumer with a measurement quantity that is in accordance with that the most updated IKW (German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association) standard test for water hardness. EU Ecolabel detergents are thus proven to have the highest efficiency even at 30 °C and since detergents are highly concentrated, the consumer does not need to use more than the

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quantity indicated in the measuring device.

When it comes to plastics, for some detergents plastic packaging has an impact of up to 36% to the environmental pressures. Therefore, packaging criteria are tackle the issue of design for recyclability. Meanwhile, product's packaging that contains over 80% of recycled material is exempted from additional requirements on packaging design. EU Ecolabel is contributing to the efforts of recently published European Strategy For Plastics In A Circular Economy, by prohibiting microplastics of all sizes in all cleaning products. Same requirement was introduced to the rinse off cosmetics criteria already in 2014.

Suggested tags

#EUEcolabelCleaningServices

#EUEcolabelDetergents

#SustainableCleaning

#CircularEconomy

#SustainableChoices

Relevant social media links

Hagleitner LinkedIn

Hagleitner Twitter : @hagleitner_int

Hagleitner Facebook

EU Ecolabel Twitter : @EMAS_EUEcolabel

EU Ecolabel Facebook

EU Ecolabel LinkedIn

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Visuals

(available on the PowerPoint)

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2) EU Ecolabel Ambassador: Maison Verte

Twitter “To us, the #EUEcolabel is comparable to the AB organic label for food products, and is the reference label in the B2B cleaning product industry” remarks Isabelle Flory, #Swania’s R&D Manager.

Facebook Within a time frame of three years, most of Maison Verte products either have, or are currently undergoing assessment by France’s certification body in order to acquire the EU Ecolabel.

LinkedIn Isabelle Flory, Swania’s R&D Manager believes that the EUEcolabel is comparable to the AB organic label for food products, and the reference label in the B2B cleaning product industry.

Maison Verte believes that the continued consumer push towards sustainable products that address trending issues such as the presence of allergens and endocrine disruptors, will further drive supermarkets to seek out eco-friendly products to stock their shelves. This will place positive pressure on the B2C market to supply this demand. By achieving a high percentage of certification for the products within the Maison Verte brand, Swania believes that it will further instill confidence in their clients, which are some of France’s biggest retailers, ensuring their products remain and continue to grow on supermarket shelves.

Suggested tags

#EUEcolabelAmbassador

#EUEcolabelDetergents

#SustainableCleaning

#CircularEconomy

#SustainableChoices

Relevant social media links

Swania LinkedIn account

ADEME Twitter : @ademe

ADEME LinkedIn

AFNOR LinkedIn

AFNOR Twitter : @AFNOR

AFNOR Facebook

EU Ecolabel Twitter : @EMAS_EUEcolabel

EU Ecolabel Facebook

EU Ecolabel LinkedIn

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Visuals

(available on the PowerPoint)

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3) EU Ecolabel Ambassador: Maison Verte

Twitter “The #EUEcolabel is the most reliable and attainable environmental certification in the #detergent industry for all-purpose French cleaning companies” - #MaisonVerte

Facebook

LinkedIn

As all #EUEcolabel professional detergent products, including Swania’s Maison Verte professional detergents are fully in line with the product requirements outlined within the Cleaning Services criteria, there is great potential to create new and lasting synergies between existing EU Ecolabel detergent companies and the cleaning service industry. In fact, a minimum of 50% of all cleaning products used by an EU Ecolabel Cleaning Service must have either the EU Ecolabel or another type I ecolabel. Excellent performance at 30°C, saving energy and money with each wash with no micro-plastics, phosphates, EDTA, triclosan, and formaldehyde added.

Suggested tags

#EUEcolabelAmbassador

#EUEcolabelDetergents

#SustainableCleaning

#CircularEconomy

#SustainableChoices

Relevant social media links

Swania LinkedIn account

ADEME Twitter : @ademe

ADEME LinkedIn

AFNOR LinkedIn

AFNOR Twitter : @AFNOR

AFNOR Facebook

EU Ecolabel Twitter : @EMAS_EUEcolabel

EU Ecolabel Facebook

EU Ecolabel LinkedIn

Zero waste family

Commissioner Vella

BEUC

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Links or visuals

(visuals available on the PowerPoint)

http://www.maisonverte.fr/les-engagements-maison-verte/leco-conception-des-produits-maison-verte/

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4) New Criteria for Cleaning Services

Twitter #DidYouKnow: The new #EUEcolabel service group #CleaningServices targets environmental hotspots and balances the commercial, social and environmental challenges of the cleaning company.

Facebook

LinkedIn

The new #EUEcolabel cleaning services criteria provide exigent guidelines for B2B and B2C cleaning companies looking to lower their environmental impact and guarantee the efficiency of their environmental actions. The seven mandatory and twelve optional criteria take a holistic approach through limits on the cleaning products and accessories used, #water and #energy consumption, the training of staff and waste management.

Suggested tags

#EUEcolabelCleaningServices

#SustainableCleaning

#CircularEconomy

#SustainableChoices

Relevant social media links

EU Ecolabel Twitter : @EMAS_EUEcolabel

EU Ecolabel Facebook

EU Ecolabel LinkedIn

Twitter Influencers

@ TheCleaningShow

@ FedeProprete

@ PhilippeJouanny

@ europropre

@ DeCAProprete

Zero waste family

Commissioner Vella

BEUC

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Visuals

(available on the

powerpoint)

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II. Sustainable Events on Detergents

Date Event

10 / 04 / 2018

AFNOR / ADEME/ FED Ile de France – EU Ecolabel Cleaning Services Conference, Paris, France: Register here.

23 – 25 / 04 / 2018

Final Conference of the Environmental Footprint Pilot Phase" , Brussels (BE) – Register here .

24-25/04/2018

Plastics Recycling Show Europe, Amsterdam (NL)

Session on EU Ecolabel " EU Ecolabel connecting recyclers with brand owners of consumer goods "

26 – 29 / 04 / 2018

10th International Fresenius Conference "Detergents and Cleaning Products " , Mainz, Germany

15 – 18 / 05 : 2018

Interclean , Amsterdam, Netherlands

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III. Articles

1) Environmental Impact of Detergents & Cleaning Services

EU Ecolabel detergents and cleaning services aim to reduce the polluting effects of cleaning activities on the environment and provide healthier

alternatives to consumers and cleaning personnel

Detergents and cleaning activities make up a large source of chemical pressure on water resources and wastewater systems worldwide. Numerous toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic substances are present in most detergents, which affect the quality of water and the well-being of aquatic environments when discharged after use. Oxygen-reducing substances and chemical components are often found in large quantities in conventional detergents as they increase their efficiency. These substances are, however, resistant to wastewater treatments aimed at biodegrading harmful substances during wastewater operations and can eventually end up in natural bodies of water. This poses a detrimental risk to natural ecosystems as high levels of nutrient pollution (i.e. phosphates) in rivers leads to eutrophication.

Conventional detergents may also include triclosan, suspected of interfering with human hormones, nanosilver, linked to neurological disorders, and substances that release formaldehyde suspected of causing cancer, allergies and asthma. These detergents can thus potentially cause severe health problems for both consumers and natural living organisms. You will not find those substances in EU Ecolabel products.

EU Ecolabel makes the difference

EU Ecolabel detergents and cleaning services differentiate themselves from conventional detergents and companies through the wide scope of environmental criteria they respect. The label guarantees detergents with a reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems, limited hazardous and sensitising substances, increased biodegradability, reduced packaging, documented efficiency, and reliable user information. The use of EU Ecolabel detergents is highly promoted within the new EU Ecolabel cleaning services criteria, as it requires at least 50% of cleaning products used to be environmentally certified by either the EU Ecolabel or another EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabel. Ecolabel detergents and cleaning service companies prohibit chemicals which may cause cancer, alter DNA or damage fertility. Amongst the restricted and banned chemicals are a number of fragrances, reactive chlorine compounds, Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEOs), preservatives, colourants and allergenic substances that are particularly toxic to the

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environment. The toxicity of detergents on aquatic organisms is also reduced through critical dilution volume of product thresholds.

Performance tests conducted on all EU Ecolabel cleaning products guarantee the high quality and efficiency of all products comparable to conventional detergents. For example, certified products must have a satisfactory cleaning performance, even when used with cold water. Furthermore, the detergent must provide a dosing device to the consumer with a measurement quantity that is in accordance with that the most updated IKW (German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association) standard test for water hardness. EU Ecolabel detergents are thus proven to have the highest efficiency even at 30 °C and since detergents are highly concentrated, the consumer does not need to use more than the quantity indicated in the measuring device. The Energy Saving Trust has found that washing clothes at 30 degrees uses around 40% less electricity over the course of a year compared to higher temperatures, EU Ecolabel detergents can hence help reduce energy consumption.

The availability of automatic dosing systems to users, in addition to an efficiency of detergents are also highlighted in the EU Ecolabel detergent criteria. Furthermore, limited packaging must be considered, following a specific weight/utility ratio (WUR) of the product calculated for the primary packaging.

Microplastics restriction in line with the EU’s Plastics Strategy

Packaging requirements favour the use of recycled materials within its composition and must be clear of microplastics (tiny toxic particles of plastic) which end up in fish, crustaceans or plankton and can even be present in potable water for human consumption. This requirement is in line with the EU ‘Plastics strategy’ with the aim of increasing the 'circularity' of consumer products packaging and in particular prohibits the use microplastics of any size in the packaging of cleaning products. Regarding the packaging’s end-of-life, the criteria promote refillable container designs to one-time-use containers; this packaging must, furthermore, be recyclable upon disposal.

Austrian EU Ecolabel detergents company Hagleitner as a potential partner for EU Ecolabel cleaning services companies

The characteristics of EU Ecolabel detergents aim to reduce the over-consumption of plastic, water and energy in order for each manufactured product to have the least harmful impact at the end of its lifecycle. This has contributed to the EU Ecolabel becoming an important environmental reference in the detergent industry, pushing a number of companies and consumers to align their values with the EU Ecolabel’s environmental objectives.

For example, the Austrian company, Hagleitner, which has certified a number of its

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detergents considers sustainable consumption and production to be one of its core values, seen through their ‘green efficiency concept system’. This system ensures that dispenser products in the area of kitchen and laundry hygiene are manufactured free of environmentally and health-endangering raw materials. Hans Georg Hagleitner, the Managing Director notes that: “Chemistry and nature, seem to be opposed. However, they actually originate from one another. Hagleitner wants to be representative of this, with clean chemistry and clean production.” Hagleitner is just one of numerous EU Ecolabel detergent companies that could partner with EU Ecolabel cleaning services in order to meet criteria requirements.

Sources:

http://www.hagleitner.com/en/

http://www.hagleitner.com/fileadmin/user_upload/brochure/HAGLEITNER_2018_19_EXP_ENG_s_02.pdf

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https://sciencing.com/chemical-pollution-caused-day-detergents-6664097.html

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017D1219

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal content/EN/TXT/? uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2017.180.01.0016.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2017:180:TOC

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/reports/EST_11120_Save%20Energy%20in%20your%20Home_15.6.pdf

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2) Cleaning Services Factsheet

Cleaning Services Criteria FactsheetCompanies providing cleaning services are facing growing pressure to align their commercial, social and environmental practices. The new EU Ecolabel cleaning services criteria provide exigent guidelines for B2B and B2C cleaning companies looking to lower their environmental impact and guarantee the efficiency of their environmental actions through third party controls. The seven mandatory and twelve optional criteria take a holistic approach through limits on the cleaning products and accessories used, water and energy consumption, the training of staff and waste management. The criteria also prioritises cleaning products that are ISO Type I labels like the EU Ecolabel, but also Nordic Swan and Blue Angel.

The EU Ecolabel criteria for cleaning services are relevant for companies with preexisting environmental practices looking to fine tune and structure their sustainability and corporate responsibility efforts through compliance with this third-party certification, as well as companies who seek to use the EU Ecolabel criteria to help them make a shift from a more linear way of functioning towards circular environmental practices. The label also demonstrates the companies’ commitment to the well-being and safety of their employees by decreasing their exposure to toxic substances.

Any cleaning service company can apply for the EU Ecolabel: it is possible to certify a company’s entire cleaning services, or certify part of the services provided, granted that they have separate accounting records. As of now, cleaning service companies that hold EU Ecolabel certificates are able to prove the efficiency of their environmental practices during green public procurement tenders.

Cleaning services induce an array of environmental hotspots, which the EU Ecolabel addresses:

Hotspot 1: Human and environmental toxicity: Toxic substances present in conventional cleaning products used by cleaning services have a detrimental impact on the environment as well as the consumers.

EU Ecolabel cleaning services limit the polluting effects of their activities by using eco-friendly products: at least 50% of all cleaning products used per year must be environmentally certified by the EU Ecolabel or another EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabel, and the other 50% must follow specific criteria. For example, detergents must respect minimum thresholds for critical dilution volumes, have biodegradable surfactants and comply with strict restrictions on the number of hazardous substances present, no micro-plastics, phosphates, EDTA, triclosan, and formaldehyde added. They also cannot be determined as being acutely toxic, a respiratory or skin sensitiser, carcinogenic,

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mutagenic or toxic for reproduction and limited use of fragrances. Cleaning services can easily partner with existing EU Ecolabel cleaning product companies to fulfill this product-use requirement.

Hotspot 2: Inefficient Use of Detergents: Low staff awareness on the appropriate cleaning procedures and unavailable dosing equipment leads to unnecessary overuse of detergents.

To address potential inefficiencies in detergent product use, the criteria requires for all certified companies to undertake formal staff training and supply instructions to staff to ensure proper dosing of cleaning products used, the right use of dilution rates and the appropriate handling of cycles and temperatures. Staff performing EU Ecolabel indoor cleaning tasks must have access to automatic dispensers, measuring beakers/caps, hand pumps and sprays. High quality products are also required to minimise the need for excessive amounts of product.

Hotspot 3: Poor management of waste: Inneficient waste disposal management- and the use of non-recyclable products by cleaning service companies contribute to unnecessary waste as well as water, soil and air contamination.

The criteria sets requirements for proper waste management and disposal in order to limit its generation, which is in line with the EU Waste Framework Directive (prioritising waste reduction at its source, followed by recycling, recovery and disposal.)

In particular, in an effort to drive companies to reduce waste at its source, the criteria lays out that cleaning services must replace single use cleaning supplies (i.e. gloves) with durable and reusable products. Furthermore, at least 50% of cleaning textile accessories (cloths and mop heads) per year must be microfibre, which use less water. In order to meet this requirement, the criteria outlines an “optional criterion” to partner with existing EU Ecolabel textile companies and earn extra points depending on the percentage of mops and cloths used that are certified with the EU Ecolabel or other EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabel.

Hotspot 4: Inefficient energy & water use: Misguided washing cycle and temperature selections by cleaning staff lead to unnecessary energy and water consumption.

Minimised energy and water consumption through the use of high quality and environmentally friendly detergents used, as well as frequent staff training is a forefront focus within the criteria. While EU Ecolabel detergents and other type I ecolabel detergents perform effectively with unheated water, the EU Ecolabel requires staff training so that all members are aware of how to optimise the use of cleaning products,

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for example by ensuring that less energy-intensive washing cycles and temperatures are used. EU Ecolabel detergents are highly efficient with 30° C water cycles, which helps reduce energy waste. Research has found that washing laundry at 30°C consumes three times less energy than if washed at 90° C and washing with cold water uses twice as less energy than when the water is at 40° C.1 The criteria outlines an “optional criterion” allowing companies to further reduce their energy consumption and earn extra points by owning or leasing household washing machines which comply with EU Energy Label rated class A++ or A+++ for energy efficiency.

Hotspot 5: Undefined environmental action plan: Without a defined environmental action plans, it is difficult for companies to monitor and measure their environmental performance and progress.

The EU Ecolabel helps companies take the steps to define targets and measure their actions by requiring an environmental management system with a precise environmental policy, action programme and internal evaluation process. The criteria promotes

1 https://www.ademe.fr/sites/default/files/assets/documents/guide-pratique-reduire-facture-electricite.pdf

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synergies between the EU Ecolabel and other existing third-party verified schemes. As an optional criterion, it is possible for companies to obtain extra points if certified with the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or the ISO 14001 standard.

Hotspot 6: Transportation Emissions: Depending on the cleaning service, transportation to and from client locations can account for a large part of their activity. This transportation time contributes to carbon dioxide emissions that could be reduced through better transportation practices.

The EU Ecolabel aims to reduce the impact of transportation, by awarding companies with extra points if at least 50% of their vehicles meet European emission standard 6 (the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions for light passenger and commercial vehicles in EU and EEA member states) and at least 10% of their transportation is done with zero-emission vehicles. Points are also given to companies who have determined transport plans minimising fuel consumption.

Sources:

https://www.ademe.fr/sites/default/files/assets/documents/guide-pratique-reduire-facture-electricite.pdf

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3) EU Ecolabel Success Story: Maison Verte

EU Ecolabel Ambassador: Maison Verte

“The EU Ecolabel is the most reliable and attainable environmental certification in the detergent industry” Isabelle Flory, R&D Manager Swania.

The EU Ecolabel as a driver in Swania’s Environmental Strategy

The Swania Group was founded in 2015 with the acquisition of three iconic household maintenance brands originally owned by Reckitt Benckiser and widely loved by French consumers: Maison Verte, O’Cedar and Baranne. Since 2017, the brand YOU, has completed this portfolio with its acquisition from the company Mapa Spontex. Amongst these four brands, Maison Verte is a pioneer in eco-friendly cleaning products in France, and was the first EU Ecolabel licence holding company for laundry detergents in 1997.

Swania’s team led an internal assessment of the brand in order to judge the relevance of maintaining the EU Ecolabel certification for the few certified products under the new Maison Verte range. It was concluded that in order to preserve brand credibility and product competitiveness in the cleaning product industry, the Maison Verte brand would not only continue to have the EU Ecolabel for the existing certified products, but would also take the necessary steps to certify most of the brand’s products. In fact, Isabelle Flory believes that the EU Ecolabel is comparable to the AB organic label for food products, considering it as the reference label in the B2C cleaning product industry as its criteria are progressive, yet realistically attainable by companies. It is also the only ecological label, which asks for the same efficacy level as the non-green product leaders of the market.

Within only three years from the launch of this initiative, most of Maison Verte products either have, or are currently undergoing assessment by France’s certification body in order to acquire the EU Ecolabel. By achieving a high percentage of certification for Maison Verte products, Swania believes that it will further instill confidence in their clients, which are some of France’s biggest retailers, ensuring their products remain and continue to grow on supermarket shelves.

Maison Verte believes that the continued consumer push towards sustainable products that address trending issues such as the presence of allergens and endocrine disruptors, will further drive supermarkets to seek out eco-friendly products to stock their shelves. This will place positive pressure on the B2C market to supply this demand. For example,

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through EU Ecolabel compliance, Maison Verte and other EU Ecolabel detergent companies are focused on finding sustainable solutions to create product formulas free from many well-known and toxic preservative agents that are present in most conventional detergents.

High Potential for Partnerships Between EU Ecolabel Detergent Companies and the Cleaning Service Industry

Looking ahead, Maison Verte eagerly awaits the adoption of the new EU Ecolabel Cleaning Services criteria, which will be open to all B2B and B2C cleaning service companies. As all EU Ecolabel professional detergent products, including Swania’s Maison Verte professional and consumer detergents are fully in line with the product requirements outlined within the Cleaning Services criteria, there is great potential to create new and lasting synergies between existing EU Ecolabel detergent companies and the cleaning service industry. In fact, a minimum of 50% of all cleaning products used by an EU Ecolabel Cleaning Service must have either the EU Ecolabel or another type I ecolabel. As market presence of EU Ecolabel detergents is established, cleaning services will be easily able to meet this requirement by collaborating with companies like Swania

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and to its brand Maison Verte.

Source:

https://www.eco-conception.fr/data/sources/users/10/mgmn6.pdf

http://www.maisonverte.fr/les-engagements-maison-verte/leco-conception-des-produits-maison-verte/

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4) New EU Ecolabel Cleaning Service Criteria (text for PRESS RELEASE)

The following short text can be used as a press release. Please fill in the date (in the highlighted part below) once the EC has published the criteria.

The European Commission adopts new EU Ecolabel criteria for Cleaning Services

On XXX 2018, the European Commission will adopt a new set of criteria for the EU Ecolabel service group "Cleaning Services" that will be published in the Official Journal in upcoming days. The new criteria focus on addressing present-day environmental hotspots present for cleaning services and will be valid for a period of five years.

Companies providing cleaning services are facing growing pressure to align their commercial, social and environmental practices. The brand new EU Ecolabel criteria on indoor cleaning services address the most critical hotspots of cleaning processes and help businesses take real action towards sustainable cleaning. As of now, cleaning service companies that hold EU Ecolabel certificates are able to prove the efficiency of their environmental practices during green public procurement tenders. The label also demonstrates the companies’ commitment to the well-being and safety of their employees by decreasing their exposure to toxic substances. The criteria prioritizes the cleaning products that are ISO Type I labels like the EU Ecolabel, but also Nordic Swan and Blue Angel.

Price is no longer the primary differentiator when selecting amongst providers of cleaning services, as social and environmental aspects, are increasingly becoming important.

Background:

The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary ecolabelling scheme established in 1992 and a component of the European Commission’s action plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy. It encourages manufactures to produce goods and services that are more environmentally friendly. Any good or service that has been awarded the EU Ecolabel meets a set of high environmental and performance standards. Today, nearly 54100 products and services bearing the EU Ecolabel are available on the market. The adoption of these new EU Ecolabel criteria contributes to the continued efforts of providing companies and consumers with a credible ecolabel to promote sustainable consumption and production, enhancing circular economy within Europe.

For more information:

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Visit the EU Ecolabel website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/

Contact the EU Ecolabel Helpdesk: ecolabel@bio.deloitte.fr

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5) 5 reasons to choose EU Ecolabel Detergents: article submitted by BEUC

This article, which was written by BEUC, can also be disseminated through your portals. Please ensure that the following sentence appears with the article: “This article is the translation of a blog originally published by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)” http://www.beuc.eu/blog/

Green your spring cleaning: 5 reasons to choose EU Ecolabel detergents

By Blanca Morales

21.03.2018

It’s spring time! As flowers bud and birds chirp after the (long) winter break, you might want to make your home tidy and shiny. Why not go green for this spring cleaning?

We use washing liquids, laundry powders, multi-purpose cleaners and dishwashing tablets daily to keep our houses clean. But standard detergents are not as healthy as we might think. Most contain ingredients which can harm the environment and human health. Problematic substances can sneak through water treatment services, pollute rivers and can even end up in our plates and glasses.

There is a solution: choose EU Ecolabel detergents for spring cleaning, for five good reasons:

1. Save energy (and money) – Ecolabel detergents are proven to be efficient at low temperatures, allowing you to save energy and money. For instance, laundry detergents are tested to have the highest efficiency at 30°C. Ecolabel detergents are highly concentrated, i.e. a small amount does the job. If you do not use more than you’re supposed to, detergents can help reduce both your carbon footprint and your cleaning budget.

2. Protect your health - Ecolabel detergents generally contain less problematic chemicals compared to standard products, which minimises your overall exposure. For instance, substances that may cause cancer, change your DNA or damage fertility are strictly prohibited in Ecolabel products, but not in standard detergents2. Allergenic substances, fragrances and preservatives harmful for the environment or your health are largely

2 Non-ecolabelled detergents may include triclosan (suspected of interfering with human hormones), nanosilver (linked to neurological disorders), or substances that release formaldehyde (suspected of causing cancer, allergies and asthma).

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restricted, and the most problematic ones are fully banned.

3. Spare the environment - To be awarded the label, Ecolabel detergents must not be toxic to aquatic organisms and must be biodegradable. That is why they must be free of phosphates, which fuel algae overgrowth, threaten other aquatic life and cut water oxygen levels. Moreover, the label excludes disinfecting detergents which can make bacteria become resistant, i.e. hard to kill in the long run.

4. Cut plastic: Every year, Europeans generate over 25.8 million tonnes of plastic waste, of which only 30% is recycled. The packaging of EU Ecolabel detergents is circular: it favours recycled material and is recyclable, relies on less plastic than conventional packages and promotes refillable containers. Ecolabel products must also be clear of microplastics, these tiny toxic particles of plastic which end up in fish, crustaceans or plankton. While the EU is considering restricting microplastics in detergents and other products, Ecolabel is one step ahead.

5. Avoid greenwashing: Unlike many self-proclaimed green logos, the Ecolabel flower guarantees sound environmentally-friendly detergents. This is thanks to the strong requirements that manufacturers must meet to obtain the label3. Tests prove that Ecolabel detergents work as efficiently as conventional ones.

Convinced? You can easily find Ecolabel detergents on your supermarket shelves. In September 2017, around 5,300 Ecolabel consumer cleaning products, comprising detergents, were registered across the EU.

This label is about much more than just detergents. For 25 years, Ecolabel has been rewarding the most environmentally-friendly consumer products such as tissue papers, paints, shower gels and now even shoes, computers and hotels! Be on the lookout for the flower logo every time you shop.

The EU Ecolabel is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Learn more in our factsheet.

“This article is the translation of a blog originally published by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)” http://www.beuc.eu/blog/

3 The EU and Member States in cooperation with industry, environmental NGOs and consumer organisations define the Ecolabel criteria and revise them every four years.

Network toolkit – APRIL 2018 - Textile 28