The EU Ecolabel flower logo has appeared on consumer products since 1992, but cleaning products represent one of the more technically demanding categories within the scheme. Manufacturers seeking certification for laundry detergents or hard surface cleaners must demonstrate compliance with a set of formulation-level criteria that go considerably further than the baseline requirements of Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.
In Czech Republic, the competent body responsible for processing and issuing EU Ecolabel licences is the Czech Environmental Information Agency (CENIA). As of early 2026, the ECAT database lists 14 EU Ecolabel-certified cleaning products from Czech-registered licence holders, a number that has grown slowly since the 2017 criteria revision.
The Two Relevant Commission Decisions
Criteria for cleaning products under EU Ecolabel are established through Commission Decisions — legal instruments that set time-limited technical thresholds, typically valid for four to six years before review. Two decisions are currently active for the household cleaning product sector:
- Commission Decision 2011/264/EU — criteria for laundry detergents. Currently under review; the European Commission's Joint Research Centre published a technical background report in 2024 proposing updated thresholds for the next criteria revision.
- Commission Decision 2017/1217/EU — criteria for hard surface cleaning products (kitchen and bathroom sprays, floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, glass cleaners). Valid until 2025 with extension pending.
Core Criteria for Hard Surface Cleaners (Decision 2017/1217)
The hard surface cleaner criteria are structured around three domains: aquatic toxicity of the formulation, biodegradability of individual components, and restrictions on specific substance categories.
Aquatic Toxicity Limit
The critical dilution volume (CDV) approach requires manufacturers to calculate the aggregate aquatic toxicity of all ingredients at their concentration in the product. For hard surface cleaners, the threshold is a CDV of no more than 1,200 litres per recommended dose. This calculation requires acute toxicity data (EC50 or LC50 values) for each surfactant and other organic compound present above 0.01% w/w.
Biodegradability Requirements
All surfactants must pass OECD 301 tests for ultimate aerobic biodegradability. Unlike Regulation 648/2004 which sets a 60% threshold, the EU Ecolabel criteria require all surfactants — not just the primary class — to reach 60% mineralisation. Preservatives present above 0.01% must also be assessed for ultimate biodegradability.
Excluded Substances
Decision 2017/1217 explicitly prohibits the use of CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic) substances, substances meeting REACH SVHC criteria, and a named list of specific compound groups including optical brighteners, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and phosphonates above defined thresholds.
The exclusion of phosphonates (such as HEDP and DTPMP) is particularly relevant for hard surface cleaning products, where these chelating agents are commonly used to prevent scale build-up. EU Ecolabel-certified alternatives typically use citric acid or gluconic acid as chelating substitutes.
Laundry Detergent Criteria (Decision 2011/264)
The laundry criteria share the CDV and biodegradability framework but add specific requirements for packaging and dosage efficiency. Manufacturers must demonstrate that the product achieves satisfactory cleaning performance at a dose that does not exceed the declared maximum dosage — verified by washing performance tests under EN 60456 or AISE standard test protocols.
| Criterion Area | Hard Surface Cleaners | Laundry Detergents |
|---|---|---|
| CDV aquatic toxicity limit | 1,200 L/dose max | Varies by product type |
| Surfactant biodegradation | 60% at 28 days (OECD 301) | 60% at 28 days (OECD 301) |
| Phosphates allowed | No | No (<0.5 g/dose) |
| EDTA | Not permitted | <0 mg/dose (banned) |
| Optical brighteners | Not permitted | Restricted |
| Packaging — concentrated formats | Encouraged; packaging ratio assessed | Required for compact formats |
Nordic Swan: A Comparative Reference
Nordic Swan Ecolabel criteria for cleaning products share the biodegradability and aquatic toxicity structure of EU Ecolabel but additionally restrict synthetic fragrances more broadly — requiring disclosure of individual fragrance compounds and banning a longer list of sensitisers. Products certified under Nordic Swan are common in Swedish and Danish retail and appear in Czech import channels through chains like IKEA and specialty environmental retailers.
One practical difference: Nordic Swan has historically required a minimum percentage of bio-based raw materials in surfactants. The current EU Ecolabel criteria do not include an explicit bio-based content requirement, though the JRC's 2024 review proposes introducing such a threshold in the next decision cycle.
EU Ecolabel certification mark on a certified product. Source: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
How to Verify Certification in Czech Republic
The European Commission maintains a public ECAT database at ec.europa.eu/ecat where any consumer can search for licensed products by category, country, or company name. Searching for "cleaning products" and filtering by Czech Republic shows the current 14 Czech-licensed products, though many more EU Ecolabel-certified products from other EU countries are legally marketed in Czech Republic.
A note on verification: the flower logo on a product does not guarantee current certification. Licences are issued for a fixed period and require renewal. CENIA has occasionally reported cases where Czech retailers continue stocking products whose licences have lapsed. Cross-referencing with the ECAT database is the only definitive check.
The Gap Between Certification and Market Penetration
Despite the rigour of the certification criteria, EU Ecolabel penetration in Czech cleaning product retail remains low. Research from the Czech Trade Inspection Authority's 2023 green claims report found that 67% of Czech cleaning products making environmental marketing claims — phrases like "eco-formula," "nature-friendly," or "gentle on the environment" — carried no third-party eco-certification.
This discrepancy is in part a cost issue: certification involves laboratory testing costs, CENIA administrative fees, and annual licence fees, which represent a meaningful overhead for smaller manufacturers. It also reflects consumer behaviour patterns — Czech market research consistently shows that price remains the dominant purchase driver for household cleaning products, outweighing environmental credentials even among consumers who report environmental concern.
For a detailed look at how certified and uncertified cleaning products compare in their downstream environmental effects, the water impact analysis provides measurement-based reference data from Czech surface water monitoring.
