Have you heard of Ecolabel certification? Come discover what it is with us!

Nowadays, more and more consumers are concerned about issues that go beyond their individual well-being. People want to know where, how, by whom and from what raw materials the goods they consume are produced and delivered. Companies that take responsibility in this regard gain credibility and trust from people!

However, it is easy to find products that are self-proclaimed as "green", "eco" or "sustainable", based on criteria that are not always sufficient. Is a product truly sustainable if it is biodegradable but was produced without social sensitivity? If it is distributed without environmental care? Is it green to buy a product with natural ingredients, but which comes packaged in a container that will live long beyond its use? An item that travels thousands of kilometers by plane to reach us? It also doesn't help to acquire something that meets countless ecological requirements, but disrespects the working people who, for example, harvest the raw materials.

To consider a product to be effectively produced responsibly, a holistic assessment is needed, taking into account its entire life cycle: this is where Ecolabel comes in!

Ecolabel certification is a certification system developed by the European Union with the aim of promoting products and services that have a lower environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.

Unlike certificates that focus on a single aspect, this label stands out for its credibility and its focus on strict criteria that cover the complete life cycle of the good or service, from the extraction of raw materials, transport and use to the disposal, discarding or recycling of the product.

The criteria for obtaining this certification are strict and cover aspects such as:

• Presence of toxins and artificial substances in the product;

• Atmospheric impact and use of non-renewable resources;

• Geographical origin and distance travelled in transport;

• Consumption of resources and waste generation in production;

• Compliance with social and labor standards.

The main objectives of the Ecolabel are:

• Reduce the environmental impacts of products and services;

• Guide consumers, allowing them to make informed choices;

• Promote competitiveness, encouraging companies to develop greener and more responsible solutions

The Ecolabel is internationally recognized and increasingly valued by attentive consumers!

You can find a wide range of detergents with the Ecolabel certificate in our Green2You grocery store and Online store!

Did you know that detergents are one of the most relevant categories for the Ecolabel? This is due to their significant impact on the aquatic environment and human health. Specific criteria for detergents include:

• Biodegradability, ensuring that ingredients decompose quickly in the environment;

• Reduced toxicity, limiting the use of substances dangerous to aquatic fauna and flora;

• Cleaning efficiency, ensuring good performance even at low temperatures, to reduce energy consumption;

• Sustainable packaging, with preference for recycled or recyclable materials.

In our stores, you can even go further in this last step! We have bulk detergents available: bring your own containers, and buy the quantity you need!

Is labeling that important?

If it wasn't, do you think there would be a day to celebrate it?

World Ecolabel Day is celebrated on October 17 and aims to raise awareness of its relevance and promote certified products.

Written by Ana Reis