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  3. Cleaning agents for use in the food industry 070

Cleaning agents for use in the food industry 070

Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cleaning agents for use in the food industry are among products that have the lowest impact on the environment in this category. These products contribute to reducing environmental emissions of substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. Overdosing is reduced since the products' performance at the recommended dosage is tested and the information text and user and dosing information contributes to reducing emissions.

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel aspects determined for this product group are:

  • Effective and with low environmental impact:
  • Live up to strict requirements for ecotoxicity, biodegradability and bioaccumulation.
  • Efficacy tested for use in specific application areas.

Below you will find all the necessary documents and background information to apply for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

  • 10 April - 11 June 2025

    During the consultation period, Nordic Ecolabelling gives you the opportunity to comment on our proposal for revised criteria for Cleaning agents for use in the food industry.

    Read more here and please, share your knowledge with us.

    1. Start your application process by reading the criteria document and find out if your product can obtain the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. 
    2. Read your Application Guide.
    3. Request login credentials.
    4. Now you are ready to enter the Nordic Ecolabelling Portal.

     

    Portal sign in                               Get login credentials

     

    Should you wish to transfer your licence, please use this form. 

  • Fees valid from 1 January 2025

    Type of fee Amount
    Application fee including one on-site inspection within the Nordic region *) 3 348 EUR + VAT, however not less than 836 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe
    Renewal fee* 1 673 EUR + VAT, however not less than 418 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe
    More than one inspection visit within the Nordic region**  557 EUR + VAT per visit
    Inspection visits in Europe** 1 673 EUR + VAT per visit
    Inspection visits outside Europe** 2 790 EUR + VAT per visit
    Extension of existing licence*** Extension of existing or changes in licence

    < 4 hours: 418 EUR + VAT
    < 8 hours: 836 EUR + VAT
    ≥ 8 hours: 1 673 EUR + VAT
     

    If the extension includes new formulations/recipes, prices are the same as those applicable to amendments to an existing licence, however not less than 836 EUR + VAT per formulations/recipe.

    Annual licence fee: The annual licence fee for the Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products is based on their turnover in the Nordic countries.

    		 0.3 % of turnover + VAT per year for 0 - 51.5 million EUR.
    0.05% of turnover + VAT per year for > 51.5 million EUR.
    Minimum fee for Nordic region 2 232 EUR + VAT per year
    Maximum fee for Nordic region No maximum fee

    Fees for sale outside the Nordic region          
    (Only if revenue > 300 000 EUR per year)

    		 2 232 EUR + VAT per year

    * When both the applicant and the manufacturer are micro-enterprises, the fee is reduced by 50%. A micro-enterprise is in this context defined as an enterprise with less than 10 employees and an annual turnover (of both ecolabelled and not ecolabelled products) below 2 million EUR.

    ** Where audits requires more than one day away from the office including travelling, Nordic Ecolabelling can invoice an additional fee of 1 115 EUR per extra day. Other extraordinary costs induced by the audit can also be invoiced the applicant.

    *** As for an extension of or amendments to a licence, time consumed in connection with the review process will be invoiced according to the extent of the required task. We make a distinction between entirely administrative tasks that last less than 1 hour, and all other tasks that last between 1 and 4 hours, between 4 and 8 hours and more than 8 hours.

    The recipient is liable for the VAT according to article 56 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
    All information given on this site is subject to a disclaimer for errors and omissions

     

    Fees valid from 1 January 2024

    Type of fee Amount
    Application fee including one on-site inspection within the Nordic region *) 3 251 EUR + VAT, however not less than 812 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe
    Renewal fee* 1 625 EUR + VAT, however not less than 406 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe
    More than one inspection visit within the Nordic region**  541 EUR + VAT per visit
    Inspection visits in Europe** 1 625 EUR + VAT per visit
    Inspection visits outside Europe** 2 709 EUR + VAT per visit
    Extension of existing licence*** Extension of existing or changes in licence

    < 4 hours: 406 EUR + VAT
    < 8 hours: 812 EUR + VAT
    ≥ 8 hours: 1 625 EUR + VAT
     

    If the extension includes new formulations/recipes, prices are the same as those applicable to amendments to an existing licence, however not less than 812 EUR + VAT per formulations/recipe.

    Annual licence fee: The annual licence fee for the Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products is based on their turnover in the Nordic countries.

    		 0.3 % of turnover + VAT per year for 0 - 50 million EUR.
    0.05% of turnover + VAT per year for > 50 million EUR.
    Minimum fee for Nordic region 2 167 EUR + VAT per year
    Maximum fee for Nordic region No maximum fee

    Fees for sale outside the Nordic region          
    (Only if revenue > 300 000 EUR per year)

    		 2 167 EUR + VAT per year

    * When both the applicant and the manufacturer are micro-enterprises, the fee is reduced by 50%. A micro-enterprise is in this context defined as an enterprise with less than 10 employees and an annual turnover (of both ecolabelled and not ecolabelled products) below 2 million EUR.

    ** Where audits requires more than one day away from the office including travelling, Nordic Ecolabelling can invoice an additional fee of 1 083 EUR per extra day. Other extraordinary costs induced by the audit can also be invoiced the applicant.

    *** As for an extension of or amendments to a licence, time consumed in connection with the review process will be invoiced according to the extent of the required task. We make a distinction between entirely administrative tasks that last less than 1 hour, and all other tasks that last between 1 and 4 hours, between 4 and 8 hours and more than 8 hours.

    The recipient is liable for the VAT according to article 56 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
    All information given on this site is subject to a disclaimer for errors and omissions

     

  • In the criteria document, you can read about how to document and verify compliance for each requirement. You can also find other application documents here.

  • Information on the latest version of the criteria for cleaning agents for use in the food industry

    On 13 August 2024, Nordic Ecolabelling decided to allow the IFS standard Household and Personal Care as an alternative to ISO 9001 (Appendix 1). The new version is called 2.5.

    2.4 ⇛ 2.5: Adjustment of the criteria

    On 13 August 2024, Nordic Ecolabelling decided to allow the IFS standard Household and Personal Care as an alternative to ISO 9001 (Appendix 1). The new version is called 2.5.

    2.3 ⇛ 2.4: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    Nordic Ecolabelling decided on 10 October 2023 to prolong the criteria with 18 months to the 30 June 2026. The new version is called 2.4.

    2.2 ⇛ 2.3: Adjustment of the criteria

    On the 29 March 2022 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O4 by also exempting H411 classified surfactants from the requirement. The new version is called 2.3.

    2.1 ⇛ 2.2: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The Nordic Ecolabelling has decided to prolong the validity of the criteria with 9 months. Version 2.2 of the criteria is valid until the 31 December 2024.

    2.0 ⇛ 2.1: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The Nordic Ecolabelling has decided to prolong the validity of the criteria with 24 months. Version 2.1 of the criteria is valid until the 31 March 2024.

    2.0: New criteria generation

    On the 6 March 2017 Nordic Ecolabelling decided on a new version of the criteria for Cleaning agents for use in the food industry. Version 2.0 of the criteria is valid until the 31 March 2022.

  • In the background document below you will find reasoning and facts behind the specific requirements in the criteria document.

    Here you can also read the comments, requirement for requirement, from the public hearing.

    If the documents are in a Nordic language, you can get help in understanding the sections you need by contacting the product specialist in your chosen country below.