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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/4/1

19 August 2009

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 427/2009

European Union (EU)* : Community Eco-Label Award Scheme

Further to Commercial Information Circulars No. 267/2007 of 10 July 2007, 69/2008 of 23 January 2008, and 67/2009 of 6 February 2009, the European Commission (the Commission) has adopted seven Decisions to modify the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for the award of Community Eco-label to outdoor paints and varnishes, indoor paints and varnishes, footwear, textile products, tissue paper, bed mattresses and hard coverings. 

DETAILS

  1. Under the Decisions, the ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements for these seven product groups have been revised. Salient points for each product group are set out in the paragraphs below. 

Outdoor and Indoor Paints and Varnishes

  1. The product group "outdoor paint and varnishes" shall comprise outdoor decorative and protective paints and varnishes, wood stains and related products for use on buildings and outdoor furniture, floors and fencing. They can be used by do-it-yourself and professional users, and are primarily developed for use and marketed as such. On the other hand, "indoor paint and varnishes" shall comprise indoor decorative and protective paints and varnishes, wood stains and related products intended for use by do-it-yourself and professional users, and are primarily developed for use and marketed as such. Nevertheless, products listed under Article 1(3) of the respective Decision, such as anti-corrosion coatings and anti-fouling coatings, are not included. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the paint and varnishes must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the respective Decision, which covers white pigments, titanium dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (VAH), heavy metals, dangerous substances, fitness for use, consumer information, and information appearing on the eco-label. In addition, for two-pack reactive performance coatings for specific end use, they should comply with the conditions specified under Article 2(2) of the respective Decision. Coatings marked for both indoor and outdoor use must satisfy the criterion set under both Decisions.
     
  2. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 18 August 2012. Details are set out in Commission Decisions 2009/543/EC and 2009/544/EC, which can be accessed through the following links respectively:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:181:0027:0038:EN:PDF
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:181:0039:0048:EN:PDF

Footwear

  1. The product group "footwear" shall comprise all articles of clothing designed to protect or cover the foot, with a fixed outer sole which comes into contact with the ground. It shall not contain any electric or electronic components. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the footwear must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the Decision, which covers dangerous substances in the final product, reduction of water consumption, emissions from the production of material, use of hazardous substances up till purchase, use of VOCs, energy consumption, packaging, durability, and information appearing on the eco-label. 
     
  2. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, applications of eco-label submitted by 31 March 2010 may be awarded under the existing or new eco-label criteria. The eco-label awarded under the existing criteria may be used until 9 July 2010.
     
  3. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 10 July 2013. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2009/563/EC, which can be accessed through the following link:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:196:0027:0035:EN:PDF

Textile Products

  1. The product group "textile products" shall comprise (i) textile clothing and accessories consisting of at least 90% by weight of textile fibres, (ii) interior textiles (textile products for interior use consisting of at least 90% by weight of textile fibres, including mats and rugs but not wall to wall floor coverings and wall coverings); and (iii) fibres, yarn and fabric (including durable non-woven) intended for use in (i) and (ii). Certain textiles treated with biocidal products are excluded. In calculating the percentage of textile fibres, down, feathers, membranes and coatings need not be included. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the textile product must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the Decision, which covers textile fibre, processes and chemicals, and fitness for use.
     
  2. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, applications of eco-label submitted by 31 December 2009 may be awarded under the existing or new eco-label criteria. The eco-label awarded under the existing criteria may be used until 9 July 2010.
     
  3. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 10 July 2013. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2009/567/EC, which can be accessed through the following link:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:197:0070:0086:EN:PDF

Tissue Paper

  1. The product group "tissue paper" shall comprise sheets or rolls of tissue paper fit for use for personal hygiene, absorption of liquids and/or cleaning of soiled surfaces. The tissue product shall consist of creped or embossed paper in one or several plies, and have a fibre content of at least 90%. Nevertheless, wet wipes and sanitary products, tissue products laminated with other materials, and products under Directive 76/768/EEC (cosmetic products) are not included. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the tissue paper must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the Decision, which covers emissions to water and air, energy use, fibres with sustainable forest management, hazardous chemical substances, products safety, waste management, fitness for use, and consumer information.
     
  2. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, applications of eco-label submitted by 4 January 2010 may be awarded under the existing or new eco-label criteria. The eco-label awarded under the existing criteria may be used until 9 July 2010.
     
  3. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 10 July 2013. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2009/568/EC, which can be accessed through the following link:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:197:0087:0095:EN:PDF

Bed Mattresses

  1. The product group "bed mattresses" shall comprise (i) bed mattresses, which are defined as products that provide a surface to sleep or rest upon for indoor use. They consists of a cloth cover filled with materials and can be placed on an existing supporting bed structure; (ii) materials filling the bed mattresses (may include latex form, polyurethane foam and springs); and (iii) wooden bed bases that support the bed mattresses. Spring mattresses (an upholstered bed base consisting of springs, topped with fillings) and mattresses fitted with removable and/or washable covers are also included. Nevertheless, inflatable mattresses, water mattresses, and mattresses classified under Directive 93/42/EEC (medical devices) are excluded. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the bed mattress must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the Decision, which covers latex foam, PUR foam, wire and springs, coconut fibres, wooden material, textiles, glues, VOC emission, flame retardants, biocides in the final product, durability, packaging, and information appearing on the eco-label.
     
  2. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, applications of eco-label submitted by 31 March 2010 may be awarded under the existing or new eco-label criteria. The eco-label awarded under the existing criteria may be used until 9 July 2010.
     
  3. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 10 July 2013. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2009/598/EC, which can be accessed through the following link:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:203:0065:0080:EN:PDF

Hard Coverings

  1. The product group "hard coverings" shall comprise natural stones, agglomerated stones, concrete paving units, terrazzo tiles, ceramic tiles and clay tiles for internal/external use, without any relevant structural function. Floor and wall coverings are also applicable, if their production processes are identical and use the same materials and manufacturing methods. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the hard covering must meet specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex of the Decision. This includes criteria on raw material extraction and selection, finishing operations, production process, use phase, packaging, fitness for use, consumer information, and information appearing on the eco-label.
     
  2. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, applications of eco-label submitted by 31 March 2010 may be awarded under the existing or new eco-label criteria. The eco-label awarded under the existing criteria may be used until 9 July 2010.
     
  3. The revised ecological criteria and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 10 July 2013. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2009/607/EC, which can be accessed through the following link:
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:208:0021:0038:EN:PDF

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5556.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Peggy LEUNG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



Note ：

  • (1) While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.
  • (2) The biweekly newsletter "Business Alert - EU" of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council provides up-to-date information on the latest developments in EU trade policy and trade regulations. The newsletter is available for free e-subscription and can be accessed through
    http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eualert.htm.