Promoting resource efficiency
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel promotes resource efficiency by limiting resource use and setting quality requirements that increase product lifespan, thereby reducing the need to produce new products.
When setting requirements, Nordic Ecolabelling assesses the entire product life cycle – from raw materials to production, use, disposal and recycling – without creating other environmental impacts elsewhere (burden shifting). For example, when sourcing raw materials, the focus is also on minimizing the total environmental impact, such as loss of biodiversity and land-use change. This holistic approach is crucial to promoting the overall resource efficiency and sustainability of a product or service.
How does the Nordic Swan Ecolabel contribute?
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel emphasizes resource efficiency for both products and services and aims to encourage producers to shift towards more sustainable types of resources and technology.
When relevant, the focus is on:
- Designing products to deliver the same output with less input.
- Use of sustainable resources (materials, chemicals, energy and water).
- Increased reuse, recycling and substitution of materials.
- Resource efficiency through limiting energy use during production and the use stage.
- Resource efficiency through reducing wastage in production.
- High quality standards and longer product lifetimes.
- Clear user instructions for use and maintenance.
- Availability of spare parts.
- End-of-life waste minimization through sorting and upgrading.