How we can help you with Ecolabel Product and Services
Below we give an overview of typical Ecolabel applications processes. Alongside a description of the content of each stage we describe how we can assist you.
Ecolabel Applications (Type 1)
| Understand your Ecolabel | |
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| You will need to clear some basic hurdles to get a label, typically being a manufacturer, retailer or service provider; your product or service must be on the list of qualifying products for the scheme chosen; and you will need to decide where to register your product. |
We can direct you to the relevant materials which simply describe the schemes, their scope of product and services, and application packs. We can offer you advice on where to register if you need assistance. Though this is usually a simple choice, different CBs have different initial and ongoing charging structures which can influence the decision. |
| Identify your competent body | |
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| The Competent Body (CB) is the organisation which will assess your application and liaise with queries until the close of the process. Establishing a good relationship is important to keep this running smoothly. | We can introduce you to or liaise directly with your chosen Competent Body to kick-start the relationship. We know nearly all the European bodies and have career experience within the UK Competent Body, so we are very familiar with the processes and pitfalls. |
| Register your organisation with the Ecolabel authority | |
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| In most cases, you will need to create an account for your company with the Authority. This will allow you to add and update your licensed products and ensure they appear in related publicity materials. | We can set up an account on your behalf, with your authority, administered during the application phase. Control will be returned to you at the end of the process. |
| Test and analyse your product or service to build the application dossier | |
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| Products and services must meet criteria laid out in the application packs. Many of them require composition analysis and properties assessed to ISO or equivalent standards. This can be time consuming, and certainly requires a methodological approach to ensure consistency and reliability. | We are highly experienced in the coverage and criteria of the major ecolabel schemes and have first-hand experience of the issues which arise in this trickiest and most intensive phase. We will undertake screening work using the same methods employed by the CB to avoid potential problems and work with you to locate or generate the technical supporting information in the most efficient manner. |
| Assemble your dossier information and submit | |
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| The application pack, supporting dossier and possibly product samples must be assembled and delivered to the Competent Body with the appropriate application fee. The assessment phase may raise queries for clarification and resolution before an award can be made. | We can build the applications and surrounding hygiene information in paper and electronic form. We will assemble these bundles, together with physical samples provided by you, for submission to the CB, with full traceability. We will liaise with the CB to resolve queries to the end of the process. |
| Ensure your application remains current | |
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| All being well, your product or service will pass. It goes without saying that your product should not be altered from its registered form over the license period in order to remain valid, though you may wish to develop new candidates for ecolabelling. | We can update your license information on your account and return control to you. We will keep you abreast of developments in ecolabel criteria and schemes where they are relevant to your licensed products. This is important as they require periodic renewal. In addition, you may wish to register additional products. We can advise on whether a simple extension of existing registrations is a possibility thus offering you some economies. |