EU - Ecolabel criteria for graphic paper and the Ecolabel criteria for tissue paper and tissue products

The EU Ecolabel Fitness check (REFIT) of 30 June 2017, reviewing the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, concluded on the need to develop a more strategic approach for the EU Ecolabel, including the bundling of closely related product groups where appropriate.

In line with those conclusions and after consulting the EU Ecolabelling Board the product groups ‘copying and graphic paper’ and ‘newsprint paper’ should be merged together to form a single product group ‘graphic paper’, with a new definition covering both of the old product groups together with certain modifications that are appropriate to take account of scientific and market developments. In particular, the new definition should remove the weight limit that applied to the old product groups, now including a wider variety of paper with higher rigidity.

The new criteria for each product group aim to promote energy efficient manufacturing processes which deliver reduced emissions of substances that contribute to the eutrophication of watercourses, the acidification of the atmosphere and climate change, restrict the use of hazardous substances and use raw materials sourced from sustainably managed forests or recycled materials which contributes to facilitate the transition to a more circular economy.

The new criteria and related assessment and verification requirements for each product group should remain valid until 31 December 2024, taking into account the innovation cycle for the two product groups.​