Smart and Sustainable: The EU Ecolabel as a Key Tool in Green Public Procurement

Public procurement across Europe is increasingly embracing sustainability, with the EU Ecolabel playing a pivotal role. This trusted environmental certification helps public procurers make simple, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.

EU Ecolabel: Combining Simplicity, Trust, and Sustainability

The EU Ecolabel currently certifies around 110,000 products, assuring buyers they meet rigorous sustainability criteria. As Pierre Henry, Deputy Head of Unit for Sustainable Products at the European Commission, states, buying EU Ecolabel products guarantees some of the most sustainable goods and services on the market.

Dominique Sandy of ICLEI highlights the label’s advantage as a “straightforward way of incorporating green aspects into purchasing decisions,” saving time and reducing complexity for public buyers while ensuring responsible use of public funds.

Expanding Choices and Overcoming Cost Misconceptions

With over 220,000 products certified under the EU Ecolabel or national Type I ecolabels (ISO 14024-compliant), public procurers enjoy a growing, credible marketplace. Notably, studies from France’s ADEME and the consumer organization BEUC reveal that EU Ecolabel products often match or undercut the prices of comparable non-certified items, debunking the myth of higher costs.

A Danish report confirms the environmental and climate benefits of selecting sustainably certified products in public procurement, solidifying the EU Ecolabel as an effective tool to close the gap between sustainability goals and real purchasing practices.

Regulatory Momentum and Innovation Drive

Recent evaluation and upcoming revisions of the EU Public Procurement Directives emphasize sustainability inclusion, with some countries like Italy mandating Type 1 ecolabels for various purchasing categories. This regulatory push enhances the uptake and influence of ecolabels in public procurement.

Businesses also view the EU Ecolabel as a driver for sustainable innovation. For instance, Diversey certifies 75-100% of its professional cleaning products under the Ecolabel, leveraging certification as both a sustainability benchmark and market advantage. Austrian company Format Werk similarly sees it as key to strengthening its competitive position within the EU.

Public Procurement as a Bridge to EU Sustainability Ambitions

Pierre Henry describes EU Ecolabel integration as bridging procurement practices with wider EU policies such as the Circular Economy Act and the Clean Industrial Deal. Cities like Copenhagen exemplify this approach by actively promoting ecolabel procurement to realize tangible environmental benefits.

Increasing awareness remains critical. Practical guides produced by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre assist procurers in seamlessly embedding EU Ecolabel criteria into tender documents and procurement processes, facilitating widespread adoption.

Conclusion

The EU Ecolabel emerges as a smart, trustworthy, and economically viable certificate that empowers public procurers to effectively support Europe’s sustainability agenda. By choosing EU Ecolabel products, public entities not only reduce environmental impact but also stimulate innovation and market transformation toward greener economies.

Useful Resources

• EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue
• Practical Guides for Green Public Procurement
• ADEME Studies on EU Ecolabel Pricing and Responsible Purchases
• EU Public Procurement Directive Evaluation (2025)

For more details, visit the Directorate-General for Environment’s website.

Published: 27 October 2025
Source: Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission

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