The EU Ecolabels for Mattresses and Furniture Status report and expected market uptake

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1 Europur & Euro-Moulders General Assembly & Technical Conference Vienna, June 2014 The EU Ecolabels for Mattresses and Furniture Status report and expected market uptake Mauro Cordella European Commission, JRC-IPTS

2 Content JRC and the product policy context The EU Ecolabel EU Ecolabel for bed mattresses EU Ecolabel and GPP for furniture Conclusions 2

3 The Joint Research Centre IET Petten, The Netherlands Institute for Energy IRMM Geel, Belgium Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements ITU Karlsruhe, Germany Institute for Transuranium Elements IES/ IHCP/ IPSC Ispra, Italy Institute for Environment and Sustainability Institute for Health and Consumer Protection Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen IPTS Sevilla, Spain Institute for Prospective Technological Studies

4 Joint Research Centre in the context of the European Commission: DG ENV DG ENER DG ENTR DG RTD DG DG JRC

5 Activities in support of Product Policy Development and implementation of Sustainable Product Policies: EU Ecolabel Regulation, Green Public Procurement Communication, Energy Related Products Directive, Energy Labelling Directive Techno-economic research, development of environmental assessment methodologies, as well as the operational management of the stakeholder interaction

6 Numbers of products in the market Ecodesign Product policy toolbox PRODUCT INTERVENTIONS Overall approach Cut out the least sustainable products Drive the existing market towards greater sustainability Encourage development of new, more sustainable products Interventions: Minimum standards Interventions: Pricing and trading Voluntary initiatives Producer responsibility Business support Procurement Labelling Public information GPP Interventions: Support innovation Ecolabel Less PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY More

7 The Product Bureau 7

8 Examples of existing environmental labels Sectorial PCRs ISO Standards Type I (ISO 14024): 3 rd -party certified multi-criteria env. label, voluntary, pass/fail requirements based on lifecycle considerations Type III (ISO 14025): Independently verified label for performance quantification, voluntary, no thresholds set

9 EU and national Ecolabels Same interests ("Greening the market"), different playfields EU Ecolabel covers the European Market and allows cross-country marketing with the same label National Labels cover national/regional market characteristics and needs of consumers Joint and continuous learning process: - Share information ("co-operation") - Align criteria and/or test methods ("harmonization") - Enhance and extend criteria ("competition")

10 Advantages for Companies Improving the environmental performance of their products/services Communicating the good environmental performance of their products with an internationally popular, credible and trustworthy label within the label "jungle" Demonstrating the company s awareness and commitment on environmental issues Strategic position in Green Public Procurement ( 10

11 The EU Ecolabel : EU Ecolabel regulation establishment, only for products 2000: 1 st revision of the regulation, extension to services (tourist accommodations, campsites) 2009: 2 nd revision of the regulation (EC no. 66/2010), greater focus on lifecycle and hazardous substance Mgt: European Commission, EUEB, MS's Competent Bodies

12 + Water based heaters + Absorbent hygiene products 12

13 Criteria development process Based on: 1. Analysis of legislation, other labels and standards 2. Market aspects 3. Technical and environmental analysis, including LCA/LCT 4. Stakeholders consultation and practical aspects Steps: 1. Identification of criteria areas 2. Proposals, discussion and assessment 3. Definition of relevant, feasible and supported criteria Timing: criteria revised each 3-4 years, about 24 months for the process

14 EU Ecolabel - Some statistics (1) 14

15 EU Ecolabel - Some statistics (2) 15

16 EU Ecolabel - Some statistics (3) +30 product groups and about products labelled so far 16

17 EU Ecolabel for Bed Mattresses Status Last revision: Commission Decision of 9 July 2009 Revised criteria voted positively by the EUEB in Nov 2013, not yet adopted since the scrutiny period is still on-going Current number of EU Ecolabel licenses and products Austria: 1 licence, 3 products Denmark: 1 licence, 13 products France: 1 licence, 1 product Lithuania: 1 licence, 1 product Total EU: 4 licences, 18 products 17

18 Possible reasons for relatively low penetration: Flame retardants Materials (e.g. textiles) Quality aspects Different labels Engagement with industry (and other stakeholders) EU Ecolabel as internationally popular and trusted Label: - 'High-quality long-lasting product' - 'Hazardous substances restricted' - 'Indoor air pollution reduced' 18

19 Revised scope (Nov 2013) 1. The product group bed mattresses shall comprise products consisting of a cloth cover that is filled with materials and that can be placed on an existing supporting bed structure or designed for free standing in order to provide a surface to sleep or rest upon for indoor use. 2. The product group shall not include wooden and upholstered bed bases, inflatable mattresses and water mattresses, as well as mattresses classified under Council Directive 93/42/EEC 19

20 Revised criteria (Nov 2013) 1. Latex foam 2. Polyurethane (PUR) foam 3. Wire and springs 4. Coconut fibres 5. Textiles (mattress cover and/or filling materials) 6. Glues and adhesives 7. Flame retardants 8. Biocides 9. Plasticizers 10. Excluded or limited substances and mixtures 11. Emission of volatile organic compounds from the mattress 12. Technical performance 13. Design for disassembly and recovery of materials 14. Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel 15. Additional information to consumers 20

21 Criteria for PUR: 5% w/w threshold Restricted substances (Biocides, Heavy Metals, Plasticizers, TDA and MDA, Tinorganic substances, Other specific substances) Emission of specified volatile organic compounds (SVOCs, VOCs, VVOCs) Dyes Total chlorine content of isocyanates (TDI < 0.07 w/w) Blowing agents (no halogenated organic compounds) - Based on analysis of information on industry requirements - Common interests, compatibility and synergies between EU Ecolabel (product) and CertiPUR label (material) harmonisation of requirements 21

22 Status EU Ecolabel for Furniture Last revision: Commission Decision of 30 November 2009 Currently under revision, vote planned by the end of the year (tbc) Current number of EU Ecolabel licenses and products: Poland: 1 licence, 1 product Italy: 1 licence, 38 products Total EU: 2 licence, 39 products Main reasons for the low penetration: Restrictive material requirements ( 90% wood, 3% any other individual material) 22

23 Latest draft scope (under consultation) 1. The product group "furniture" shall comprise free-standing or built-in units which are used for storing or hanging items and/or providing surfaces for sitting, resting, eating or work purposes. The product group extends to furniture used in domestic, business and public environments and includes both indoor and outdoor furniture. The product group only extends to those products whose primary function is to be used as furniture according to the definition in the first sentence of this paragraph. Examples of products whose primary function is not to be used as "furniture" include: streetlights, traffic cones and bollards, electrical cabinets, playground equipment, carpets, sanitary equipment and building products such as steps, doors, window frames, floor coverings and cladding. 2. The following products do not lie within the product group scope: (a) Products containing mirror glass where >5% of the product weight is due to mirror glass. (b) Seating and other furniture used in cars, trains, airplanes and other vehicles. (c) Products that contain lighting sources. (d) Second-hand or refurbished furniture where information about the materials and hazardous substances used is not available. Main change: removal of limits to material contents Much broader scope proposed now Consideration of upholstery furniture Similar scope under study for revision of GPP criteria 23

24 Revised EU Ecolabel criteria (under consultation): 1. Product description 2. Hazardous substances general text as per Articles 6(6) & 6(7) 3. Wood and wood-based materials 4. Plastics; 5. Metals; 6. Textiles; 7. Leather 8. Padding materials (specifically PU, latex and other textiles in #6) 9. Glass 10. Packaging 11. Final product criteria (technical standards, disassembly and EoL information, consumer information, ergonomics where relevant and VOC emissions where relevant). Sub-criteria for hazardous substances, adhesives and coatings included on a material specific basis GPP criteria to be revised based on information gathered, possible focus on main elements, padding materials currently though as "award" criteria for specific cases only 24

25 Criteria for padding materials in furniture: Criteria focused on PU foam and latex foam. No criteria for springs, wires or coconut fibres though Proposed to align with latest criteria for bed mattresses Additional possible padding materials considered such as polyester, cotton and down feathers. Relevance in particular with cushions Reference to textile criteria No objections raised at 2 nd AHWG meeting, only a query about potential for PU recycling / recycled content 25

26 Conclusions EU Ecolabel as a tool to promote sustainability of products Criteria development based on robust process, intensive consultation with stakeholders, comprehensive information basis Different product groups different uptake of the label, examples of success (hard floor covering) vs. less interest (e.g. mattresses) increasing the penetration engaging with industry! EU Ecolabel as international popular and trusted label avoiding confusion within the label "jungle" Importance of Ecolabel for GPP Requirements of CertiPUR label as element of reference for mattresses and upholstery furniture Common interests, compatibility and synergies 26

27 Thanks for your attention! Mauro Cordella, Ph.D European Commission JRC IPTS, Sustainable Production and Consumption Unit Edificio EXPO C/ Inca Garcilaso 3, E-41092, Sevilla Tel ; Fax DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are purely those of the writer and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission.

28 Supporting Information 28

29 Technical and environmental analysis 1. Life Cycle Assessment 2. Product-oriented analysis manufacturing transport Use phase technical description sources of hazard (others) production PRODUCT Use phase Production & final disposal Reuse/ recycling Raw material extraction final disposal Reuse/ recycling Environmental hot-spots Improvement options Avoid shift of burdens Additional issues of concern Support to technical implementation

30 Requirements for PUR foam in the EU Ecolabel for mattresses 30