The Austrian Ecolabel for Products

The increasing use of data and the growing number of data centers in Austria make an industry-specific sustainability label urgently necessary.  Since 2024, operators of environmentally friendly and resource-conserving data centers as well as IT operators who use such centers can be awarded the Austrian Ecolabel.

AND THE WINNER IS: The Upper Austrian Hargassner Ges mbH! In October 2021, it received the State Prize²⁰²¹ Environmental and Energy Technology in the category "Environment & Climate" for its project "Emission Reduction in Modern Biomass Heating Systems".

In times of growing environmental awareness and increased commitment to sustainability, the selection of environmentally friendly building materials is of the utmost importance. In this context, the Austrian Ecolabel for construction products is a decisive orientation aid and becomes the basis for sustainable procurement programmes of the federal government (naBe) and the provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria and Vorarlberg.

On 13 December 2023, the new version of the Austrian Ecolabel guidelines for sustainable financial products (UZ 49) was adopted by the Ecolabel Advisory Board. The biggest change: from now on, sustainable loans (green loans) can also be certified.

Aided awareness of the Ecolabel is 58%, unchanged from the previous year (59%).

Plastics can be found in all areas of everyday life. A new brochure informs about the effects of microplastics on humans and nature and gives helpful tips on how to avoid them.

The heart of the Austrian Circular Economy Strategy is formed by the strategic goals such as the reduction of resource consumption, the avoidance and reduction of waste, the prevention of environmental pollution by pollutants, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as four concrete measurable goals.

Mobility behaviour has changed significantly compared to previous years - not least due to the views and needs of young people.

When awarding construction contracts, public authorities can do a lot to raise awareness of the issues of climate protection and the circular economy, while at the same time reducing environmental impacts.

The steering committee of the Austrian Ecolabel meets three times a year: the Ecolabel Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is made up of representatives from a wide range of fields and defines the general strategy of the Austrian Ecolabel and decides on guidelines that are developed by the VKI with the involvement of various experts.

The concept of the bioeconomy encompasses on the one hand the sources of raw materials (agriculture, forestry, water management and waste) and on the other hand the use of these bio-based raw materials (food and feed, materials, energy). The aim is to create an economic cycle that reconciles technology and ecology.

This is the mission Sto Österreich Ges.m.b.H. is on! Because the technology leader in the field of thermal insulation is pursuing a vision: to make built living spaces more humane and sustainable. One element of this is the StoTherm Wood composite thermal insulation system, which was certified with the Austrian Ecolabel in April 2022. Read more about it here!

The most important goal of sun protection is to prevent skin cancer. However, since even very good sunscreens are never entirely unproblematic for health and the environment, they should be used as little as possible.

The Commission is proposing to update EU consumer rules to further raise awareness of environmental change. Among other things, protection against misleading information is to be strengthened.

With its requirements, the Austrian Ecolabel supports the path towards a circular economy - be it through specifications on dismantlability, the use of recycled products and reusable systems.

Bioeconomy stands for an economic concept that aims to replace fossil resources with renewable raw materials in as many areas and applications as possible. This makes it, along with the circular economy, an important building block on the path to climate neutrality.

Our colleagues from the VKI investigated the slogan "100 per cent recyclable" as part of a greenwashing check - and were surprised. Consumers will probably expect complete recycling. Unfortunately, this is very often not the case. What is meant is the theoretical recyclability - not the actual recyclability.

Both together make linoleum, a sustainable floor covering. The company Gerflor GmbH produces DLW Linoleum. The aesthetically pleasing floor coverings, which have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel, protect health and the climate.

Our skin comes into contact with clothing and shoes for many hours and sometimes also with toys for longer periods of time. It is therefore particularly important that these products are harmless to health.

In order to make film production in Austria even greener, film funding institutions are also increasingly focusing on green filming and particularly support productions that have been produced according to the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel.

Up to 5,000 chemicals are found in a typical household. Ecolabels at European level try to reduce the use of chemicals in everyday life. Above all, however, it is necessary for consumers to be aware of how many products are used.

"We use raw materials very carefully and sparingly. For our products, we use high-quality materials that last for decades. Especially as a family business we think in terms of generations: Environmental protection is important to us as a family, but as a globally active company we are also committed to the future of our planet."

Energy contracting? Two experts, Bruno Oberhuber; GF Energie Tirol and Johann Hafner, GF BC Regionalenergie (LN), explain to us the basic principles and advantages of this option for saving energy.

Energy must be used carefully. This is clear. It is also understood and everyone is pleased that the reduction of energy costs will reduce costs. But how best to save energy? That is where energy contracting provides the answer.

More than 120,000 chemicals are on the market in the EU - and the number is growing every day. More than 200 of them have been identified as substances of very high concern. A new app provides valuable information for consumers.