National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 14021:2016+A1:2021. It is identical to ISO 14021:2016, incorporating amendment 1:2021. It supersedes BS EN ISO 14021:2016, which is withdrawn.

The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags. Tags indicating changes to ISO text carry the number of the ISO amendment. For example, text altered by ISO amendment 1 is indicated by .

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee SES/1/2, Environmental Management - Environmental performance evaluation, environmental auditing, reporting, environmental labelling and related environmental investigations.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 April 2016.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received. www.iso.org/patents

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information

The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 3, Environmental labelling.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14021:1999), of which it constitutes a minor revision. It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 14021:1999/Amd 1:2011.

Introduction

The proliferation of environmental claims has created a need for environmental labelling standards which require that consideration be given to all relevant aspects of the life cycle of the product when such claims are developed.

Self-declared environmental claims may be made by manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers or anyone else likely to benefit from such claims. Environmental claims made in regard to products may take the form of statements, symbols or graphics on product or package labels, or in product literature, technical bulletins, advertising, publicity, telemarketing, as well as digital or electronic media, such as the Internet.

In self-declared environmental claims, the assurance of reliability is essential. It is important that verification is properly conducted to avoid negative market effects such as trade barriers or unfair competition, which can arise from unreliable and deceptive environmental claims. The evaluation methodology used by those who make environmental claims should be clear, transparent, scientifically sound and documented so that those who purchase or may potentially purchase products can be ensured of the validity of the claims.

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 January 2016.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

European foreword

This document (EN ISO 14021:2016) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207 "Environmental management" in collaboration with CCMC.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2016, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by October 2016.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN ISO 14021:2001.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 14021:2016 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 14021:2016 without any modification.

Foreword to amendment A1

This document (EN ISO 14021:2016/A1:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207 "Environmental management" in collaboration with CCMC.

This Amendment to the European Standard EN ISO 14021:2016 shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2022, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by January 2022.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN websites.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 14021:2016/Amd 1:2021 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 14021:2016/A1:2021 without any modification.

1 Scope

This International Standard specifies requirements for self-declared environmental claims, including statements, symbols and graphics, regarding products. It further describes selected terms commonly used in environmental claims and gives qualifications for their use. This International Standard also describes a general evaluation and verification methodology for self-declared environmental claims and specific evaluation and verification methods for the selected claims in this International Standard.

This International Standard does not preclude, override, or in any way change, legally required environmental information, claims or labelling, or any other applicable legal requirements.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 General terms

3.2 Selected terms commonly used in self-declared environmental claims

4 Objective of self-declared environmental claims

5 Requirements applying to all self-declared environmental claims

5.1 General

5.2 Relationship to ISO 14020

5.3 Vague or non-specific claims

5.4 Claims of “... free”

5.5 Claims of sustainability

5.6 Use of explanatory statements

5.7 Specific requirements

5.8 Use of symbols to make environmental claims

5.9 Other information or claims

5.10 Specific symbols

6 Evaluation and claim verification requirements

6.1 Responsibilities of the claimant

6.2 Reliability of evaluation methodology

6.3 Evaluation of comparative claims

6.4 Selection of methods

6.5 Access to information

7 Specific requirements for selected claims

7.1 General

7.2 Compostable

7.3 Degradable

7.4 Designed for disassembly

7.5 Extended life product

7.6 Recovered energy

7.7 Recyclable

7.8 Recycled content

7.9 Reduced energy consumption

7.10 Reduced resource use

7.11 Reduced water consumption

7.12 Reusable and refillable

7.13 Waste reduction

7.14 Renewable material

7.15 Renewable energy

7.16 Sustainable

7.17 Claims relating to greenhouse gas emissions

Bibliography

BS EN ISO 14021:2016+A1:2021

Environmental labels and declarations. Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling)

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Jan 2022