Commission Decision of 30 November 2009 on establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community Ecolabel for textile floor coverings (notified under document C(2009) 9523) (Text with EEA relevance) (2009/967/EC)

FRAMEWORK

The aims of the criteria

These criteria aim in particular at promoting:

• the reduction of impacts on habitats and associated resources,

• the reduction of energy consumption,

• the reduction of discharges of toxic or otherwise polluting substances into the environment,

• the reduction of use of dangerous substances in the materials and in the finished products,

• safety and absence of risk to health in the living environment,

• information that will enable the consumer to use the product in an efficient way which minimises the whole environmental impact.

The criteria are set at levels that promote the labelling of coverings that are produced with low environmental impact.

Assessment and verification requirements

The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.

This product group includes the family of carpets, defined as ‘floor covering, usually of woven, knitted, or needle-tufted fabric; commonly installed with tacks or staples, or by adhesives’.

It does not apply to wall coverings or that for external use. Loose mats and rugs are excluded.

The definition of the textile floor coverings product group accords to the DIN ISO 2424 norm.

The European Textile floor coverings industry determines its technical position in the European commission of normalisation CEN/TC 134.

The functional unit, to which inputs and outputs should be related, is 1 m² of finished product.

Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if their equivalence is accepted by the Competent Body assessing the application.

Where possible, testing should be performed by appropriately accredited laboratories or laboratories that meet the general requirements expressed in standard EN ISO 17025.

Where appropriate, Competent Bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifications.