Why are some products Nordic Swan Ecolabelled and others not?

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a voluntary, positive certification. This means that companies themselves decide whether they want to certify their products or services with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. It also means that products or services carrying the label have been verified and approved according to our requirements, making them a better choice for the environment – a positive certification.

It is the companies that come to us – we do not actively seek out products and services we believe to be environmentally friendly and award them the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. What you, as a consumer, can trust is that Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products and services meet strict requirements that have been verified by Nordic Ecolabelling. Of course, there are also other products and services that are environmentally adapted or claim to be. However, they have not undergone our controls, so it is up to you to assess how environmentally friendly they truly are.

How does a product or service obtain the Nordic Swan Ecolabel?

Before a product or service is awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, we verify that it meets our requirements. We request certificates and documentation, as well as extensive testing from independent laboratories. We then conduct an on-site inspection of the production facility or the site to be certified. After passing all checks, the company receives a license granting them the right to use the Nordic Swan Ecolabel on their product or service for a limited period. The requirements are then tightened, and companies must reapply to maintain their certification.