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  3. Supplies for microfibre based cleaning 083

Supplies for microfibre based cleaning 083

The product group includes washable cloths, mops, pads and other cleaning products containing microfibres that are designed for wet, damp and/or dry cleaning without the use of cleaning chemicals. Also cleaning tools to which the cleaning fabric are to be attached, such as mop handles and stands, are included if they are sold in the same packaging as the microfiber product. The product group includes both products for private and for professional use.

Nordic Swan Ecolabelled supplies for microfibre based cleaning must have a reduced environmental impact throughout its life cycle. Therefore, there are requirements for textile fibres, for constituent materials of the cleaning tools, manufacturing of textile incl. the use of chemicals and circular aspects such as quality and recycled material.

The requirements include:

  • Tests for cleaning performance and durability (long service life).
  • Use of a high proportion of polyester fibres that are recycled or based on renewable resources complying with specific environmental requirements.
  • Environmental and health properties of chemicals used in manufacturing of the textile. Among others, the use of substances that are classified with respect to carcinogenicity, toxicity to reproduction, or genotoxicity, nanoparticles and antibacterial additives are forbidden.
  • Continuous improvements to ensure working conditions in line with national law and International Labour Organizations Conventions (ILO) at productions sites

The product group includes washable cloths, mops, pads and other cleaning products containing microfibres that are designed for wet, damp and/or dry cleaning without the use of cleaning chemicals. Also cleaning tools to which the cleaning fabric are to be attached, such as mop handles and stands, are included if they are sold in the same packaging as the microfibre product. The product group includes both products for private and for professional use.

Nordic Swan Ecolabelled supplies for microfibre based cleaning must have a reduced environmental impact throughout its life cycle. Therefore, there are requirements for textile fibres, for constituent materials of the cleaning tools, manufacturing of textile incl. the use of chemicals and circular aspects such as quality and recycled material.

The requirements include:

  • Tests for cleaning performance and durability (long service life).
  • Use of a high proportion of polyester fibres that are recycled or based on renewable resources complying with specific environmental requirements.
  • Environmental and health properties of chemicals used in manufacturing of the textile. Among others, the use of substances that are classified with respect to carcinogenicity, toxicity to reproduction, or genotoxicity, nanoparticles and antibacterial additives are forbidden.
  • Continuous improvements to ensure working conditions in line with national law and International Labour Organizations Conventions (ILO) at productions sites.
    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: "New application or change" or ""Renewal" (see below)
    3. Request login credentials.
    4. Now you are ready to enter the Nordic Ecolabelling Portal.

     

    Please note that you may have to contact your suppliers and ask them to declare items that are included in your product. Supply them with your Application ID in the Nordic Ecolabelling Portal and direct them to the "For suppliers" tab down below. 

     

    Portal sign in                                             Get login credentials

     

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

  • Valid from 1/1 2025

    Amount excluding VAT

    Application fees

    		  
    Application for a new licence 3 348 EUR
    Application for renewal 1 673 EUR

    Annual licence fee

    The licence fee for the Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products is based on their turnover in the Nordic region.

    Up to 30.9 million EUR. 0,3% of the products' turnover
    More than 30.9 million EUR. 0,05% of the products' turnover
    Minimum fee in the Nordic region 2 232 EUR per year.
    Fixed fee applicable to turnover outside the Nordic region 2 232 EUR per year for turnover exceeding 300 000 EUR.

    Fee for extension / change of licence

    Fixed fee that is charged depending on how long the work takes.

    Up to 4 hours 418 EUR
    4-8 hours 836 EUR
    8 or more hours 1 673 EUR

    Fee for on-site inspections

    One on-site visit within the Nordic region is included in the application for a new or renewed licence.

    Additional on-site inspection within the Nordic region 557 EUR per visit
    On-site inspection outside the Nordic region, but within Europe 1 673 EUR per visit
    On-site inspection outside Europe 2 790 EUR per visit
    Additional fee for on-site inspections lasting longer than one day 1 115 EUR per day

     

  • 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.

  • Thank you for helping your customers finding your items, in connection with an application to obtain a Nordic Swan Ecolabel licence.

    Item is a general term for various goods and materials. For example chemicals, laminates, glass and fabrics.

    Please, declare your items in the Supply Chain Declaration Portal.

    To the Declaration Portal

  • 3.2 ⇛ 3.3: Adjustment of requirement

    On 15 October 2024 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O7 by changing test methods that can be used for measurement of emission of N2O and clarifying that the unit is N2O g/kg of polyamide 6 or 6.6 fibre produced. The new version is called 3.3.

    3.1 ⇛ 3.2: Adjustment of requirement

    On 5 December 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O1 by exempting specific small parts, requirement O5 so that test must not be done each year and mops are exempted, adding PU foam as a material and requirements for PU foam (O27-O29) and adding option B for testing in Appendix 5. On 19 December 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O45 (O42 in version 3.1) by allowing other documentation than according to Appendix 5 when claiming higher durability than 100/300 washes.

    3.0 ⇛ 3.1: Adjustment of requirement

    On 5 December 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O1 by exempting specific small parts, requirement O5 so that test must not be done each year and mops are exempted, adding PU foam as a material and requirements for PU foam (O27-O29) and adding option B for testing in Appendix 5. On 19 December 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O45 (O42 in version 3.1) by allowing other documentation than according to Appendix 5 when claiming higher durability than 100/300 washes.

    3.0 ⇛ 3.1: Adjustment of requirement

    On 27 June 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirement O49, which was divided into three requirements (O49-O51) and appendix 8-11 were added. By this adjustment more explanation and help are added for the applicants regarding fulfilment of the requirements for Human Rights Due Diligence in the Supply Chain. On 12 September 2023 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust appendix 5 so that recommended washing temperature can also be used under certain conditions. The criteria are valid until December 1, 2027.

    3.0: New criteria generation

    Version 3.0 of the criteria has been published. The criteria are valid until December 1, 2027.

    2.6 ⇛ 2.7: Prolongation of the criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 4 months. The new version, 2.7, is valid until 30 June 2024

    2.5 ⇛ 2.6: Prolongation of the criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 11 months. The new version, 2.6, is valid until 29 February 2024

    2.4 ⇛ 2.5: Prolongation of the criteria's validity and adjustment of requirement:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 12 months. 
    At the same time requirement R15 has been adjusted regarding TiO2 and TMP. The new version, 2.5, is valid until March 31st 2023.

    2.3 ⇛ 2.4: Prolongation of the criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 24 months. 
    At the same time requirement R50 has been removed.
    The new version, 2.4, is valid until March 31st 2022.

    2.2 ⇛ 2.3: Prolongation of the criteria's validity

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 24 months. The new version, 2.3, is valid until March 31st 2020.

    2.1 ⇛ 2.2: Prolongation of the criteria's validity

    The criteria have been prolonged with 24 months. Some editiorial changes were made concerning national legislation and change of English product group name. Also, the requirement R51, regarding marketing was removed. The new version, 2.2, is valid until March 31st 2018.

    2.0 ⇛ 2.1: Prolongation of the criteria's validity

    The criteria for Nordic Ecolabelled supplies for microfibre based cleaning have been prolonged. The new version, 2.1, is valid until March 31st 2016.

  • 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.

  • The previous criteria generation will expire on the 30 June 2024.