Environmental statement is a statement that manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers can make about the characteristics and environmental performance of their products. Verification of environmental claims by a third-party entity represents, in the labelling sector, an instrument for communicating in an acknowledged and authoritative way the provider’s commitment to environmental protection.
Regulatory focus
The reference standard is ISO 14021, which specifies the requirements for self-declared environmental statements, including declarations, symbols and product-related charts. It also presents a general evaluation and verification methodology for self-declared environmental statements, specific assessment and verification methods for the assertions indicated in the standard.
There are three different types of “Environmental Declarations”, based on the classification and description of the labels and environmental declarations of ISO 14020:
- 1st type (reference standard: ISO 14024): Voluntary ecological labels subject to external certification (or third-party certification). These are based on a system of different criteria that takes into consideration the entire life cycle of a product. The criteria set threshold values to be met to obtain the mark. The mark can be assigned by a public or a private Competent Body
- 2nd type (reference standard: ISO 14021): Ecological labels and declarations that report environmental information (such as “Recyclable”, “Biodegradable”, etc.) by manufacturers, importers, or distributors of products. The standard indicates the requirements that must be met for correct information and dissemination. This type of statement does not require verification by an independent certification body.
- 3rd type (reference standard: IS0 14025): Ecological declarations (e.g. “Environmental Product Declarations” or EPDs) that report information based on established and quantitative parameters that report a quantitative environmental impact associated with the product life cycle calculated through an LCA system. This type of statement is subject to independent control.
Why RINA?
RINA is accredited by Accredia for the DAP Environmental Product Declaration scheme in accordance with UNI EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 - UNI EN ISO 14025:2010.
