EN ISO 14021:2016

Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) (ISO 14021:2016)

ISO 14021:2016 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.
ISO 14021:2016 does not preclude, override, or in any way change, legally required environmental information, claims or labelling, or any other applicable legal requirements.

Umweltkennzeichnungen und -deklarationen - Umweltbezogene Anbietererklärungen (Umweltkennzeichnung Typ II) (ISO 14021:2016)

Diese Internationale Norm legt Anforderungen an umweltbezogene Anbietererklärungen einschließlich Erklärungen, Symbolen und graphischen Darstellungen für Produkte fest. Außerdem legt sie ausgewählte, in Umweltaussagen häufig verwendete Begriffe fest und gibt Hinweise zu deren Anwendung. Diese Internationale Norm legt auch eine allgemeine Verfahrensweise für die Bewertung und Überprüfung von umweltbezogenen Anbietererklärungen und spezifische Bewertungs- und Überprüfungsverfahren für die in dieser Internationalen Norm ausgewählten Aussagen fest.
Mit dieser Internationalen Norm werden keine gesetzlich geforderten Umweltangaben, -aussagen oder
-aufschriften oder sonstige geltende gesetzliche Anforderungen ausgeschlossen, aufgehoben oder in irgendeiner Weise verändert.

Marquage et déclarations environnementaux - Autodéclarations environnementales (Étiquetage de type II) (ISO 14021:2016)

ISO 14021:2016 spécifie les exigences relatives aux autodéclarations environnementales, y compris les mentions, symboles et graphiques concernant les produits. Elle décrit, en outre, des termes choisis, couramment employés dans les allégations environnementales, en précisant leur utilisation. La présente Norme internationale décrit également une méthodologie générale d'évaluation et de vérification des autodéclarations environnementales, ainsi que des méthodes spécifiques d'évaluation et de vérification des allégations sélectionnées dans la présente Norme internationale.
ISO 14021:2016 n'exclut, n'annule ni ne modifie de quelque façon que ce soit les exigences légales en matière d'informations, d'allégations ou d'étiquetage relatifs à l'environnement, ou toute autre exigence réglementaire.

Okoljske označbe in deklaracije - Okoljsko samodeklariranje (okoljsko označevanje II. vrste) (ISO 14021:2016)

Ta mednarodni standard določa zahteve za okoljsko samodeklariranje izdelkov, kar vključuje izjave, simbole in grafiko. Standard poleg tega opisuje izraze, ki se pogosto uporabljajo v okoljskih trditvah, in podaja pogoje za njihovo uporabo. Ta mednarodni standard prav tako opisuje splošne metode vrednotenja in preverjanja za okoljsko samodeklariranje ter specifične metode vrednotenja in preverjanja za izbrane trditve v tem mednarodnem standardu.
Ta mednarodni standard ne izključuje, razveljavlja ali na kakšen koli način spreminja zakonsko zahtevanih okoljskih informacij, trditev ali označb oziroma katerih koli drugih veljavnih zakonskih zahtev.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Apr-2016
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Oct-2016
• ICS: 13.020.50 - Ecolabelling
• Technical Committee: CEN/SS S26 - Environmental Management
• Drafting Committee: CEN/SS S26 - Environmental Management
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 13-Apr-2016
• Completion Date: 13-Apr-2016
• Directive: 765/2008 - REGULATION (EC) No 765/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93
• Mandate: M/417 - Standardisation mandate addessed to CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI for the use of Harmonised Standards in support of the new legal framework and sectoral certification schemes
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 14021:2016 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) (ISO14021:2016)

Relations

• Replaces: EN ISO 14021:2001 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) (ISO 14021:1999)
• Effective Date: 20-Apr-2016
• Replaces: EN ISO 14021:2001/A1:2011 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) - Amendment 1 (ISO 14021:1999/Amd 1:2011)
• Effective Date: 20-Apr-2016
• Amended By: EN ISO 14021:2016/A1:2021 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) - Amendment 1: Carbon footprint, carbon neutral (ISO 14021:2016/Amd 1:2021)
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022
• Revised: prEN ISO 14021 - Environmental statements and programmes for products - Self-declared environmental claims (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)
• Effective Date: 23-Aug-2023

Overview

EN ISO 14021:2016 (ISO 14021:2016) - Environmental labels and declarations: Self-declared environmental claims (Type II) - sets requirements for self-declared environmental claims made by manufacturers, distributors or retailers about products. It defines common terms, provides qualifications for frequently used claims (for example recyclable, compostable, recycled content) and describes a general evaluation and verification methodology for Type II environmental labelling. This standard complements the ISO 14020 family and does not override legally required environmental information or regulatory labelling.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and terms: Definitions of general terms and selected claim-specific terminology commonly used in environmental claims.
• General requirements: Principles for all self-declared claims, including clarity, accuracy, avoidance of vague or non‑specific statements and limits on “... free” and broad “sustainability” claims.
• Relationship to ISO 14020: Alignment with principles in the ISO 14020 series for environmental labelling and declarations.
• Symbols and graphics: Rules for use of symbols (including guidance on the Mobius loop) and requirements when symbols accompany claims.
• Evaluation & verification: Responsibilities of the claimant, reliability of methods, selection of evaluation approaches, access to supporting information and verification procedures for comparative or specific claims.
• Selected claim-specific guidance: Qualifications and evaluation methodologies for common claims such as:
  • Compostable
  • Degradable
  • Designed for disassembly
  • Extended life product
  • Recovered energy
  • Recyclable
  • Recycled content
  • Reduced energy/resource/water consumption
  • Reusable and refillable

Applications and who uses it

EN ISO 14021:2016 is designed for practical use by:

• Manufacturers and brand owners - to develop compliant product marketing claims and labels.
• Product designers and R&D teams - to specify design-for-recycling, disassembly or material selection targets.
• Marketing and compliance officers - to validate environmental claims and avoid misleading advertising.
• Procurement and sustainability teams - to set supplier requirements and assess product claims.
• Third-party verifiers and auditors - to evaluate and verify self-declared product claims against a recognized standard.
• Regulators and standards developers - as a reference for national guidance or enforcement of environmental marketing practices.

Practical uses include on-pack labelling, supplier declarations, green marketing, product environmental communication, and internal verification programs.

Related standards

• ISO 14020 series (principles and general requirements for environmental labels and declarations) - EN ISO 14021:2016 aligns with and references these broader principles.
• Note: EN ISO 14021:2016 does not replace or alter legally required environmental information or labelling obligations.

Keywords: EN ISO 14021:2016, ISO 14021, Type II environmental labelling, self-declared environmental claims, recyclable, recycled content, compostable, environmental claims verification, ecolabelling.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2016
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 14021:2002
SIST EN ISO 14021:2002/A1:2012
2NROMVNHR]QDþEHLQGHNODUDFLMH2NROMVNRVDPRGHNODULUDQMHRNROMVNR
R]QDþHYDQMH,,YUVWH,62
Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II
environmental labelling) (ISO14021:2016)
Umweltkennzeichnungen und -deklarationen - Umweltbezogene Anbietererklärungen
(Umweltkennzeichnung Typ II) (ISO 14021:2016)
Marquage et déclarations environnementaux - Autodéclarations environnementales
(Étiquetage de type II) (ISO 14021:2016)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 14021:2016
ICS:
13.020.50 2]QDþHYDQMH]HNRORãNR Ecolabelling
QDOHSNR
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 14021
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2016
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.020.50 Supersedes EN ISO 14021:2001
English Version
Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared
environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling)
(ISO 14021:2016)
Marquage et déclarations environnementaux - Umweltkennzeichnungen und -deklarationen -
Autodéclarations environnementales (Étiquetage de Umweltbezogene Anbietererklärungen
type II) (ISO 14021:2016) (Umweltkennzeichnung Typ II) (ISO 14021:2016)
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 COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 14021:2016 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 14021:2016) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207
"Environmental management".
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.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14021
Second edition
2016-03-15
Environmental labels and
declarations — Self-declared
environmental claims (Type II
environmental labelling)
Marquage et déclarations environnementaux — Autodéclarations
environnementales (Étiquetage de type II)
Reference number
ISO 14021:2016(E)
©
ISO 2016
ISO 14021:2016(E)
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 14021:2016(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 General terms . 1
3.2 Selected terms commonly used in self-declared environmental claims . 4
4 Objective of self-declared environmental claims . 4
5 Requirements applying to all self-declared environmental claims.4
5.1 General . 4
5.2 Relationship to ISO 14020 . 5
5.3 Vague or non-specific claims. 5
5.4 Claims of “. free” . 5
5.5 Claims of sustainability . 5
5.6 Use of explanatory statements . 5
5.7 Specific requirements . 5
5.8 Use of symbols to make environmental claims . 6
5.9 Other information or claims . 7
5.10 Specific symbols . 7
5.10.1 General. 7
5.10.2 The Mobius loop . 7
6 Evaluation and claim verification requirements . 8
6.1 Responsibilities of the claimant . 8
6.2 Reliability of evaluation methodology . 8
6.3 E valuation of comparative claims . 8
6.4 Selection of methods . 9
6.5 Access to information . 9
7 Specific requirements for selected claims .10
7.1 General .10
7.2 Compostable .10
7.2.1 Usage of term .10
7.2.2 Qualifications .10
7.2.3 Evaluation methodology .11
7.3 Degradable .11
7.3.1 Usage of term .11
7.3.2 Qualifications .11
7.3.3 Evaluation methodology .12
7.4 Designed for disassembly .12
7.4.1 Usage of term .12
7.4.2 Qualifications .12
7.4.3 Evaluation methodology .13
7.5 Extended life product .13
7.5.1 Usage of term .13
7.5.2 Qualifications .13
7.5.3 Evaluation methodology .13
7.6 Recovered energy .13
7.6.1 Usage of term .13
7.6.2 Qualifications .13
7.6.3 Evaluation methodology .14
7.7 Recyclable .14
7.7.1 Usage of term .14
7.7.2 Qualifications .14
ISO 14021:2016(E)
7.7.3 Use of a symbol.14
7.7.4 Evaluation methodology .15
7.8 Recycled content .15
7.8.1 Usage of terms . . .15
7.8.2 Qualifications .16
7.8.3 Use of a symbol.16
7.8.4 Evaluation methodology .16
7.9 Reduced energy consumption .17
7.9.1 Usage of term .17
7.9.2 Qualifications .17
7.9.3 Evaluation methodology .17
7.10 Reduced resource use .17
7.10.1 Usage of term .17
7.10.2 Qualifications .17
7.10.3 Evaluation methodology .18
7.11 Reduced water consumption .18
7.11.1 Usage of term .18
7.11.2 Qualifications .18
7.11.3 Evaluation methodology .18
7.12 Reusable and refillable .19
7.12.1 Usage of terms . . .19
7.12.2 Qualifications .19
7.12.3 Evaluation methodology .19
7.13 Waste reduction .20
7.13.1 Usage of term .20
7.13.2 Qualifications .20
7.13.3 Evaluation methodology .20
7.14 Renewable material .20
7.14.1 Usage of term .20
7.14.2 Qualifications .20
7.14.3 Evaluation methodology .21
7.15 Renewable energy .21
7.15.1 Usage of term .21
7.15.2 Qualifications .21
7.15.3 Evaluation methodology .21
7.16 Sustainable .21
7.16.1 Usage of term .21
7.17 Claims relating to greenhouse gas emissions .21
7.17.1 General.21
7.17.2 Product “carbon footprint” .22
7.17.3 “Carbon neutral” .22
Annex A (informative) Simplified diagrammatic representation of a recycling system .23
Bibliography .24
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 14021:2016(E)
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.
ISO 14021:2016(E)
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.
vi © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14021:2016(E)
Environmental labels and declarations — Self-declared
environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling)
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
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment — Registered symbols
ISO 14020, Environmental labels and declarations — General principles
ISO/TS 14067, Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for
quantification and communication
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 General terms
3.1.1
biomass
material of biological origin, excluding material embedded in geological formations or transformed to
fossilised material and excluding peat
Note 1 to entry: This includes organic material (both living and dead) from above and below ground, e.g. trees,
crops, grasses, tree litter, algae, animals and waste of biological origin, e.g. manure.
3.1.2
co-product
two or more products from the same unit process
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.10, modified]
3.1.3
environmental aspect
element of an organization’s activities or products that can interact with the environment
ISO 14021:2016(E)
3.1.4
environmental claim
statement, symbol or graphic that indicates an environmental aspect of a product, a component or
packaging
Note 1 to entry: An environmental claim may be made on product or packaging labels, through product literature,
technical bulletins, advertising, publicity, telemarketing, as well as through digital or electronic media such as
the Internet.
3.1.5
environmental claim verification
confirmation of the validity of an environmental claim using specific predetermined criteria and
procedures with assurance of data reliability
3.1.6
environmental impact
change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an
organization’s activities or products
3.1.7
explanatory statement
explanation which is needed or given so that an environmental claim can be properly understood by a
purchaser, potential purchaser or user of the product
3.1.8
functional unit
quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit in a life cycle assessment study
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.20, modified]
3.1.9
greenhouse gas
GHG
gaseous constituent of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorbs and emits
radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s
surface, the atmosphere and clouds
Note 1 to entry: GHGs include, among others, carbon dioxide (CO ), methane (CH ), nitrous oxide (N O),
2 4 2
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF ).
Note 2 to entry: A list of recognized GHGs is provided by IPCC, Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis,
Chapter 2, Table 2.14.
3.1.10
life cycle
consecutive and interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material acquisition or generation
from natural resources to final disposal
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.1]
3.1.11
material identification
words, numbers or symbols used to designate composition of components of a product or packaging
Note 1 to entry: A material identification symbol is not considered to be an environmental claim.
[10] [13]
Note 2 to entry: References to in the Bibliography give examples of International Standards, national
standards and industry publications dealing with material identification symbols.
2 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 14021:2016(E)
3.1.12
offsetting
mechanism for compensating for the carbon footprint of a product through the prevention of the
release of, reduction in, or removal of, an equivalent amount of GHG emissions in a process outside the
boundary of the product system
EXAMPLE External investment in renewable energy technologies; energy efficiency measures;
afforrestation/reforestation.
3.1.13
packaging
material that is used to protect or contain a product during transportation, storage, marketing or use
Note 1 to entry: For the purposes of this International Standard, the term “packaging” also includes any item that
is physically attached to, or included with, a product or its container for the purpose of marketing the product or
communicating information about the product.
3.1.14
product
any goods or service
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.9, modified]
3.1.15
qualified environmental claim
environmental claim which is accompanied by an explanatory statement that describes the limits of
the claim
3.1.16
self-declared environmental claim
environmental claim that is made, without independent third-party certification, by manufacturers,
importers, distributors, retailers or anyone else likely to benefit from such a claim
3.1.17
sustainable development
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs
Note 1 to entry: Sustainable development is about integrating the goals of a high quality of life, health and
prosperity with social justice and maintaining the earth’s capacity to support life in all its diversity. These social,
economic and environmental goals are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Sustainable development can
be treated as a way of expressing the broader expectations of society as a whole.
[SOURCE: ISO 26000:2010, 2.23]
3.1.18
upgradability
characteristic of a product that allows its modules or parts to be separately upgraded or replaced
without having to replace the entire product
3.1.19
waste
anything for which the generator or holder has no further use and which is discarded or is released to
the environment
ISO 14021:2016(E)
3.2 Selected terms commonly used in self-declared environmental claims
Requirements for the usage of the terms listed below, in the context of making an environmental claim,
are given in Clause 7.
Compostable 7.2.1
Degradable 7.3.1
Designed for disassembly 7.4.1
Extended life product 7.5.1
Recovered energy 7.6.1
Recyclable 7.7.1
Recycled content 7.8.1.1 a)
Pre-consumer material 7.8.1.1 a) 1)
Post-consumer material 7.8.1.1.a) 2)
Recycled material 7.8.1.1 b)
Recovered [reclaimed] material 7.8.1.1 c)
Reduced energy consumption 7.9.1
Reduced resource use 7.10.1
Reduced water consumption 7.11.1
Reusable 7.12.1.1
Refillable 7.12.1.2
Waste reduction 7.13.1
4 Objective of self-declared environmental claims
The overall goal of environmental labels and declarations is, through communication of verifiable
and accurate information, that is not misleading, on environmental aspects of products and services,
to encourage the demand for and supply of those products and services that cause less stress on
the environment, thereby stimulating the potential for market-driven continuous environmental
improvement.
The objective of this International Standard is to harmonize the use of self-declared environmental
claims. It is anticipated that benefits will be:
a) accurate and verifiable environmental claims that are not misleading;
b) increased potential for market forces to stimulate environmental improvements in production,
processes and products;
c) prevention or minimization of unwarranted claims;
d) reduction in marketplace confusion;
e) facilitation of international trade; and
f) increased opportunities for purchasers, potential purchasers and users of the product to make
more informed choices.
5 Requirements applying to all self-declared environmental claims
5.1 General
The requirements set out in Clause 5 shall apply to any self-declared environmental claim made by a
claimant, whether it is one of the selected claims referred to in Clause 7 or any other environmental claim.
4 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 14021:2016(E)
5.2 Relationship to ISO 14020
In addition to the requirements of this International Standard, the principles set out in ISO 14020 shall
apply. Where this International Standard provides more specific requirements than ISO 14020, such
specific requirements shall be followed.
5.3 Vague or non-specific claims
An environmental claim that is vague or non-specific or which broadly implies that a product is
environmentally beneficial or environmentally benign shall not be used. Therefore, environmental
claims such as “environmentally safe”, “environmentally friendly”, “earth friendly”, “non-polluting”,
“green”, “nature’s friend” and “ozone friendly” shall not be used.
NOTE This list is illustrative and not exhaustive.
5.4 Claims of “. free”
An environmental claim of “… free” shall only be made when the level of the specified substance is no
more than that which would be found as an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level.
NOTE Attention is drawn to the requirements of 5.7 k) and 5.7 p).
5.5 Claims of sustainability
The concepts involved in sustainability are highly complex and still under study. At this time there are
no definitive methods for measuring sustainability or confirming its accomplishment. Therefore, no
claim of achieving sustainability shall be made.
5.6 Use of explanatory statements
Self-declared environmental claims shall be accompanied by an explanatory statement if the claim
alone is likely to result in misunderstanding. An environmental claim shall only be made without an
explanatory statement if it is valid in all foreseeable circumstances with no qualifications.
5.7 Specific requirements
Self-declared environmental claims and any explanatory statements are subject to all requirements in
5.7. Such claims, including any explanatory statement:
a) shall be accurate and not misleading;
b) shall be substantiated and verified;
c) shall be relevant to that particular product, and used only in an appropriate context or setting;
d) shall be presented in a manner that clearly indicates whether the claim applies to the complete
product, or only to a product component or packaging, or to an element of a service;
e) shall be specific as to the environmental aspect or environmental improvement which is claimed;
f) shall not be restated using different terminology to imply multiple benefits for a single
environmental change;
g) shall be unlikely to result in misinterpretation;
h) shall be true not only in relation to the final product but also shall take into consideration all
relevant aspects of the product life cycle in order to identify the potential for one impact to be
increased in the process of decreasing another;
NOTE This does not necessarily mean that a life cycle assessment should be undertaken.
ISO 14021:2016(E)
i) shall be presented in a manner which does not imply that the product is endorsed or certified by an
independent third-party organization when it is not;
j) shall not, either directly or by implication, suggest an environmental improvement which does not
exist, nor shall it exaggerate the environmental aspect of the product to which the claim relates;
k) shall not be made if, despite the claim being literally true, it is likely to be misinterpreted by
purchasers or is misleading through the omission of relevant facts;
l) shall only relate to an environmental aspect that either exists or is likely to be realized, during the
life of the product;
m) shall be presented in a manner that clearly indicates that the environmental claim and explanatory
statement should be read together. The explanatory statement shall be of reasonable size and in
reasonable proximity to the environmental claim it accompanies;
n) shall, if a comparative assertion of environmental superiority or improvement is made, be specific
and make clear the basis for the comparison. In particular, the environmental claim shall be
relevant in terms of how recently any improvement was made;
o) shall, if based on a pre-existing but previously undisclosed aspect, be presented in a manner that
does not lead purchasers, potential purchasers and users of the product to believe that the claim is
based on a recent product or process modification;
p) shall not be made where they are based on the absence of ingredients or features which have never
been associated with the product category;
q) shall be reassessed and updated as necessary to reflect changes in technology, competitive
products or other circumstances that could alter the accuracy of the claim; and
r) shall be relevant to the area where the corresponding environmental impact occurs.
NOTE A process-related claim can be made anywhere, so long as the environmental impact occurs in the
area where the production process is located. The size of the area will be determined by the nature of the impact.
5.8 Use of symbols to make environmental claims
5.8.1 When a self-declared environmental claim is made, the use of a symbol is optional.
5.8.2 Symbols used to make an environmental claim should be simple, easily reproducible and capable
of being positioned and sized to suit the product to which the symbol is likely to be applied.
5.8.3 Symbols used for one type of environmental claim should be easily distinguishable from other
symbols, including symbols for other environmental claims.
5.8.4 A symbol used to express implementation of an environmental management system shall
not be used in such a way that it could be misunderstood as an environmental symbol indicating the
environmental aspects of a product.
5.8.5 Natural objects shall be used only if there is a direct and verifiable link between the object and
the benefit claimed.
NOTE There are many advantages to be gained by the use of the same symbol to denote the same
environmental aspect on competing products. As new symbols are developed, claimants are encouraged to adopt
a consistent approach and not to discourage the use of the same symbol to denote the same environmental aspect
by others. In selection of a new symbol, due consideration should be given so as not to violate the intellectual
property rights (e.g. registered designs) of third parties.
6 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 14021:2016(E)
5.9 Other information or claims
5.9.1 Words, numbers or symbols may be used in addition to environmental symbols to communicate
information such as material identification, disposal instructions or hazard warnings.
5.9.2 Words, numbers or symbols used for non-environmental claim purposes shall not be used in a
manner that is likely to be misunderstood as making an environmental claim.
5.9.3 An environmental symbol as described in 5.10 shall not be modified to relate the symbol to a
specific brand, company or corporate position.
5.10 Specific symbols
5.10.1 General
The selection of specific symbols for this International Standard is based on their existing wide use
or recognition. This should not be taken to imply that environmental claims represented by these
symbols are superior to other environmental claims. Only the Mobius loop is included at present.
Other specific symbols which are not provided for in this International Standard will be introduced at
an appropriate time.
5.10.2 The Mobius loop
5.10.2.1 The Mobius loop is a symbol in the shape of three twisted chasing arrows forming a triangle.
Whenever it is used to make an environmental claim, the design shall meet the graphical requirements
for ISO 7000-1135. There should, however, be enough contrast so that the symbol is clear and
distinguishable. Some examples of the form of the Mobius loop are provided in Figure 1. Clause 7 provides
detailed requirements concerning the use and applicability of the Mobius loop.
5.10.2.2 The Mobius loop may apply to the product or the packaging. If there is any potential
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