The system of voluntary eco-labeling of products is to be introduced as of January 1, 2020. It is based on the requirements of international standards. National standards for food, chemical, construction, textile, oil and gas and engineering industries will be developed during 2019-2022.
Voluntary environmental labelling procedure has been approved by Regulation PCM No. 435 of May 27, 2019 and entered into force on 05/29/2019.
The State Committee on Ecology is the authorized body for the organization of work in this field. The agency will conduct an examination and approve environmental standards, train relevant specialists and introduce improvements to the entire system, according to international standards.
ECO -labelling is intended for products, the production, use, consumption, transportation, storage and disposal of which are the least harmful for the environment, public health and biological resources. ECO mark will not be placed on medicines, veterinary drugs, medical products, as well as products containing toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, environmentally hazardous substances as well as drugs and mixtures.
ECO-labelling means placing an ECO mark on a product or its label (package), in the accompanying documents and in any advertising materials. The ECO mark has three categories that visually differ in color design: full-color version, green version and black and white version.
In order to be able to label products with the ECO-mark, the manufacturer is required to obtain the relevant certificate. The certificate is issued by a specially accredited body after considering and analyzing the documents received from the applicant, testing the products in an accredited laboratory and examining the production process and based on a positive opinion of a technical expert.
It is forbidden to use the words “eko” and “eco” in any product name, on product packaging, in the accompanying documentation of the product and in product advertising materials unless a certificate of voluntary environmental labeling has been obtained by the producer.