Photovoltaikanlage

Guidelines

The guidelines form the basis for the certification of a product/service with the Austrian Ecolabel.
The "life cycle approach" is applied: The environmental effects during use, production and disposal are considered.

The basis for the certification of a product/service are guidelines with binding criteria. They are drawn up with the involvement of environmental and technical experts and revised every four years. The "life cycle approach" is applied: The environmental impact of use, manufacture and disposal is taken into account. The same applies to raw material and energy consumption, toxicity of the ingredients, emissions (exhaust gases, waste water, noise, etc.), waste and recyclability, packaging, distribution and transport. In addition, quality and usability as well as safety, durability and ease of repair are tested. More information about the development of new guidelines can be found here. Detailed information on individual guidelines can be found in the guidelines overview below, a simple table can be downloaded here.

Bed Mattresses ECO 014

Criteria documents, fact sheets, user manuals and further information are available at the homepage of the European Ecolabel.

Cosmetic products ECO 030

There are hardly any legal requirements to reduce the environmental burden of cosmetics in the EU. In contrast to surfactants in detergents and cleaning agents it is not a laid down by law that those substances in cosmetics have to be easily degradable. The Cosmetics Regulation addresses only the safety of the products for humans, but here too is still room for improvement.

The Ecolabel closes these gaps by setting strict requirements, for example:

  • the ingredients must be biodegradable and must not be toxic to the environment
  • endocrine disrupting chemicals are prohibited
  • only very small amounts of sensitizing chemicals are allowed
  • perfume is prohibited at all in baby or children's products

In addition, the packaging weight must be low and the packaging materials used must be recyclable.

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Furniture ECO 049

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Hard floor coverings ECO 021

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Lubricants ECO 027

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Absorbent Hygiene Products ECO 047

Criteria documents, fact sheets, user manuals and further information are available at the homepage of the European Ecolabel.

Cosmetic products ECO 030

There are hardly any legal requirements to reduce the environmental burden of cosmetics in the EU. In contrast to surfactants in detergents and cleaning agents it is not a laid down by law that those substances in cosmetics have to be easily degradable. The Cosmetics Regulation addresses only the safety of the products for humans, but here too is still room for improvement.

The Ecolabel closes these gaps by setting strict requirements, for example:

  • the ingredients must be biodegradable and must not be toxic to the environment
  • endocrine disrupting chemicals are prohibited
  • only very small amounts of sensitizing chemicals are allowed
  • perfume is prohibited at all in baby or children's products

In addition, the packaging weight must be low and the packaging materials used must be recyclable.

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Electronic Displays ECO 022

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel .

Hand Dishwashing Detergents ECO 019

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Hard surface cleaning products ECO 020

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Indoor Cleaning Services ECO 052

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.

Industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents ECO 038

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Industrial and institutional laundry detergents ECO 039

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.

Laundry detergents ECO 006

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Tissue Paper made from Recycled Paper ECO 004

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Converted Paper Products ECO 046

This Guideline was replaced by the EU Commission from 1st Jan. 2021 with the guideline

ECO 053 EU Ecolabel criteria for printed paper, stationery paper, and paper carrier bag products.

Current Licencees will be listet under ECO 046 until their licens runs out or May  2022 latest.

Copying and Graphic Paper ECO 011

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Electronic Displays ECO 022

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel .

EU Ecolabel criteria for printed paper, stationery paper, and paper carrier bag products ECO 053

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found under European Ecolabel.

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Shoes ECO 017

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Textile Products ECO 016

More information, documents, fact sheets, user manuals can be found on the website of the European Ecolabel.
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ 

Tourist Accomodations ECO 051

Informationen and application for accomodation providers: tourismus.umweltzeichen.at

Green Producing in films and TV productions UZ 76

The eco-label is awarded to a film production that saves resources and acts in a climate-friendly manner. Transport, waste and catering are viewed particularly critically. A prerequisite for film production according to UZ 76 is the appointment of a Green Producing Officer in the production company. This person has an overview of all measures and is the interface for all activities.

Institution of further education UZ 302

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Kindergardens/nurseries UZ 303

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Schools and Teacher Training Colleges UZ 301

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Green Meetings and Green Events UZ 62

The Austrian Eco-label for "Green Meetings and Green Events" is awarded to events that are organised professionally and in an environmentally sound manner. 
Licensees have the competence to organise and certify environmentally friendly events for their customers.

If an enterprise organising events is interested in getting a licence, initial information is provided by the Consumer Information Association (Verein für Konsumenteninformation). A consultant trains the staff members of the enterprise and assists them on their way to licensing. Licensees must appoint a Green Meeting agent and, in the enterprise itself, have to furnish proof of their competence in sustainable office management. In the process of planning and implementing an event, criteria from the following fields are taken into account:

  • Offers of environmentally sound mobility as well as CO2 reduction
  • Environmentally friendly accommodation
  • Requirements on the conference venue, the catering and any exhibitions
  • Environmentally friendly procurement, material and waste management as well as technologies
  • Social aspects, communication

Selectable optional criteria take account of the specific situation like the size, offer, equipment or location. In this way, also special priorities, for example in connection with 
organic food or offers for barrier-free facilities, are rewarded.

Bed Mattresses UZ 55

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at

Building Materials made of Plastics UZ 41

Many building materials today are made of plastic. But there are alternatives to the conventional systems without polluting components, such as halogens or toxic heavy metals. Additional environmental benefits come from the use of mineral fillers (such as talcum) and changes in the wall structure that help to minimize the use of raw materials.

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at

Climate friendly co-location server UZ 80

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Elastic Floor Coverings UZ 42

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Energy- and Water-saving Hand and Head Showers UZ 71

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Exhibition stand construction UZ 75

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Floor Care Products UZ 63

Guideline for Floor Care Products

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Floor Coverings UZ 56

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Furniture UZ 06

In our latitudes, we spend 90 per cent of our time indoors. Indoor air that is as low in pollutants as possible is therefore an important prerequisite for health and well-being. Ecolabelled indoor products guarantee no or only low levels of harmful substances and therefore make an important contribution to healthy living and working.

In the case of furniture, this includes the strictly controlled reduction of formaldehyde in wood and equally harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and coatings. The wood used comes predominantly from sustainable forestry; plastics are only used in functional parts or as coatings for worktops. Furniture should be an investment for life - the Austrian Ecolabel guarantees that it will last as long as possible.

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Insulating Materials made of Mineral Raw Materials UZ 45

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Insulation Products made of Renewable Raw Materials UZ 44

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Low Emission Upholstered Furniture UZ 54

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Mineral-bound building products UZ 39

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Office chairs UZ 34

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at

Peat-free Growing Media, Fertilizers, Composts, Soil adiitives and Soils made from Compost UZ 32

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Solar Collectors and Solar Heating Systems UZ 15

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Textile Floor Coverings UZ 35

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Textiles UZ 69

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Thermal insulation composite systems UZ 79

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Toys UZ 73

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Varnishes, Glazes and Wood Sealers UZ 01

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Wall Paint UZ 17

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Wallpapers and Wood-chip Wall Coverings made primarily of Recycled Paper UZ 53

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Water and Energy saving Sanitary Fittings and Fixtures UZ 33

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Waterproof Heat-Insulating Materials Made of Fossil Materials UZ 43

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Wood fired heating systems UZ 37

Guideline for Wood fired heating systems

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Wood, Wood-based Materials and Floor Coverings made of Wood UZ 07

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Biomass-based Fuel UZ 38

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Climate friendly co-location server UZ 80

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Efficient Energy Services UZ 50

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Green Electricity UZ 46

Green electricity with the Austrian eco-label consists of 100 percent renewable energy sources and is therefore guaranteed to be free of fossil and nuclear energy sources. It can only be offered by green electricity traders, must contain a minimum proportion of photovoltaics and be made up of biomass, geothermal energy, wind and a limited amount of hydropower. Furthermore, at least 10 percent of the electricity must come from new plants.
For all energy sources, the respective certificates of origin are acquired together with the energy generated and may not be traded separately.

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Solar Collectors and Solar Heating Systems UZ 15

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Wood fired heating systems UZ 37

Guideline for Wood fired heating systems

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Green Producing in films and TV productions UZ 76

The eco-label is awarded to a film production that saves resources and acts in a climate-friendly manner. Transport, waste and catering are viewed particularly critically. A prerequisite for film production according to UZ 76 is the appointment of a Green Producing Officer in the production company. This person has an overview of all measures and is the interface for all activities.

Sustainable Investment Products UZ 49

The Austrian Ecolabel for Sustainable Financial Products (UZ 49) was established in 2004 and is the oldest Ecolabel in the financial sector in Europe.
The environmental benefits of investing in sustainable financial products are manifold. It can have a positive effect on the financing situation and the image of ecologically oriented companies. Sustainability research about companies that are eligible for sustainable financial products like funds ensures that their environmental and social performance becomes transparent. Engagement processes on the part of institutional investors, for example, can also lead to a transformation of companies. Green bonds or loans as well as sustainable current account/savings products can achieve an additional environmental and/or social impact through the projects they finance. What all sustainable financial products have in common is that they channel financial flows towards sustainability.
Financial products that are more sustainable than comparable products on the market - due to their investment or financing strategies and the underlying management processes - can be certified under the Austrian Ecolabel for Sustainable Financial Products.

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Lubricants UZ 14

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Ornamental Plants UZ 51

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Peat-free Growing Media, Fertilizers, Composts, Soil adiitives and Soils made from Compost UZ 32

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Plant care and phytosanitary products UZ 52

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Weather-resistant Wood Products UZ 28

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Compostable paper products UZ 25

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Cosmetic products UZ 58

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Energy- and Water-saving Hand and Head Showers UZ 71

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Floor Care Products UZ 63

Guideline for Floor Care Products

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Hand Dishwashing Detergents UZ 19

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Hard surface cleaning products UZ 30

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents UZ 67

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Industrial and institutional laundry detergents UZ 68

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Laundry detergents UZ 21

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Reusable containers for beverages and reusable cup systems UZ 26

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Textile-Rental Service UZ 70

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Tissue Paper made from Recycled Paper UZ 04

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Toys UZ 73

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Windscreen de-icers UZ 64

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Carsharing UZ 77

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Driving Schools UZ 59

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Low Emission Transport Systems UZ 66

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Multi Modal Mobility UZ 27

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Grafic Paper UZ 02

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Office and School Supplies UZ 57

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Office chairs UZ 34

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at

Photocopying machines UZ 16

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Printing and Recycled Paper Products UZ 24

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Recycled paper products UZ 18

This guideline was replaced on 1 January 2021 by the "UZ 24 Printing and Recycled Paper Products" guideline.

The licences and certified products listed here are still valid until the end of 2022.

Reprocessing of colour media UZ 11

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Footwear UZ 65

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Textile-Rental Service UZ 70

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Textiles UZ 69

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

UZ 82

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Campsites UZ 205

Guideline for Campsites

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at 

Tourism and Leisure-time Industry UZ 200

Guideline for Tourism and Leisure-time Industry

UZ Guideline: Full versionLicencees
Travel offers UZ 72

Guideline in German only.
For more information in English, please contact umweltzeichen@vki.at