EU Ecolabel
Official voluntary scheme of the European Commission that recognises products with excellent environmental performance throughout their life cycle. Regulation (EC) 66/2010, with textile criteria in Decision 2014/350.
Context
The EU Ecolabel is the European Commission's voluntary scheme that recognises products with excellent environmental performance throughout their life cycle. An official EU label with specific sectoral criteria.
Regulatory origin
Regulation (EC) 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council, published in OJEU L 27 on 30 Jan 2010. For textiles, Decision (EU) 2014/350 applies, with specific sectoral criteria.
Textile products covered (Decision 2014/350)
Textile clothing and accessories with more than 80 percent textile fibres.
Interior textiles with more than 80 percent fibres (sheets, curtains).
Fibres, yarns, fabrics and intermediate panels intended for final textile use.
Extension to 2028 + convergence with the ESPR textile delegated act (Decision (EU) 2026/66)
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/66 of 19 Dec 2025 extends the validity of the Ecolabel textile criteria of Decision 2014/350 until 31 Dec 2028. The explicit reason in the preamble: the ESPR textile delegated act expected for the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027 will set new binding requirements for eco-design and communication (DPP) whose entry into force could overlap with the ordinary review of the Ecolabel criteria. The extension avoids a transitional situation in which no European framework covers textiles.
Timeline
Regulation 66/2010
General EU Ecolabel framework published.
Decision 2014/350 textiles
Specific sectoral criteria for textiles.
Decision (EU) 2026/66
The Commission extends the validity of the textile Ecolabel until 31 Dec 2028, pending the ESPR textile delegated act.
ESPR textile delegated act
Expected: sets binding textile eco-design and DPP. May absorb or replace part of the Ecolabel criteria.
End of Ecolabel extension
Deadline. The Commission will have to publish revised criteria or consolidate the convergence with the ESPR delegated act.
Applied case
A textile brand certifies its premium bed-linen line with the EU Ecolabel to differentiate itself in the hospitality market.
Meets the more than 28 mandatory criteria of Decision 2014/350: restricted chemical substances, reactive dyes, microfibres, durability, biodiversity.
Audit by a competent body designated in Spain (AENOR).
Payment of an annual fee + per-application fee (~EUR 2,500 per year + EUR 1,000 per application depending on company scale).
Premium communication: EU Ecolabel logo on packaging + verifiable certificate number at ec.europa.eu/ecolabel.
Common mistakes
It is not the same as CE marking.
CE marking is a mandatory product safety certification. The EU Ecolabel is voluntary and concerns superior environmental performance. Completely different categories and processes.
The EU Ecolabel is not an alternative to GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
It does not exempt you from the ESPR DPP.
When the textile DPP comes into application, it will be mandatory for all products within scope. Holding the EU Ecolabel is complementary, not a substitute.
Meeting the criteria is not enough — you have to apply and pay.
Meeting the criteria does not create the right to use the mark. You have to start the procedure with the competent body, pay fees and undergo an audit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EU Ecolabel?
EU Ecolabel, a voluntary scheme regulated by Regulation (EC) 66/2010 (CELEX 32010R0066, OJEU L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1-19). In line with Art. 1: it lays down rules for the establishment and application of the voluntary EU Ecolabel scheme. An official EU label that recognises products with excellent environmental performance throughout their life cycle.
Which textile products can carry the EU Ecolabel?
Under Decision (EU) 2014/350 (CELEX 32014D0350, 5 Jun 2014): textile clothing and accessories >=80 percent textile fibres, interior textiles >=80 percent fibres, fibres/yarns/fabric/knitted panels as intermediates intended for final textile use. It covers both natural fibres (cotton, wool, linen) and synthetic ones (recycled polyester, polyamide) under textile criteria E1-E2.
How is the textile EU Ecolabel obtained?
Through the procedure of Reg. 66/2010: (i) meeting the >28 mandatory criteria of Decision 2014/350 (restricted chemical substances, reactive dyes, microfibres, durability, biodiversity), (ii) audit by a competent body designated in each Member State, (iii) payment of an annual fee + per-application fee, (iv) a certificate valid according to the competent body's terms.
What is the difference between the EU Ecolabel and OEKO-TEX?
The EU Ecolabel is an OFFICIAL EU label (legal status recognised by the Commission) with comprehensive environmental criteria. OEKO-TEX is a PRIVATE standard focused on the absence of harmful substances (STANDARD 100) or traceability (MADE IN GREEN). The EU Ecolabel is broader (life-cycle environmental impact); OEKO-TEX is more specific (chemical substances).
What is the difference between the EU Ecolabel and GOTS?
The textile EU Ecolabel is an official EU scheme for any textile fibre (not only organic) with life-cycle environmental criteria. GOTS requires a minimum of 70-95 percent certified organic fibres + environmental + social criteria. GOTS is more restrictive (organic mandatory); the EU Ecolabel is more inclusive (any fibre that meets the criteria).
Fuentes oficiales
- European Parliament · European Council · OJEU L of 9.2.201025 nov 2009regulation
- European Commission · OJEU L of 5.6.20145 jun 2014decision
- European Commission · OJEU L of 21.1.20262024decision
- EUR-Lex · Publications Office of the European Union19 dic 2025database
