prEN ISO 14021
(Main)Environmental statements and programmes for products - Self-declared environmental claims (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)
Environmental statements and programmes for products - Self-declared environmental claims (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)
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.
Umweltaussagen und -programme für Produkte - Selbsterklärter Umweltanspruch (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)
Déclarations environnementales et programmes pour les produits - Autodéclarations environnementales (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)
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)
General Information
Relations
Overview
prEN ISO 14021 (ISO/DIS 14021:2025) defines requirements and a verification framework for self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) related to products. The draft standard clarifies terms commonly used in environmental claims, describes selected claim types and specifies a general evaluation and verification methodology. It complements existing legal and regulatory requirements and does not replace mandatory environmental labelling.
Keywords: self-declared environmental claims, ISO 14021, Type II labelling, verification, environmental statements
Key Topics
- Scope and intent: Applies to statements, symbols and graphics used by manufacturers, importers and distributors to describe product environmental attributes.
- Definitions and terms: Sets out terms related to environment, programmes, products and processes to ensure consistent interpretation.
- Principles and requirements: Establishes principles for clarity, substantiation and transparency of claims.
- Evaluation and verification: Describes a general methodology and specific methods for assessing selected claims such as recovered material, recycled content, designed for disassembly, and “… free” claims.
- Programme operator roles: Details responsibilities for operators of self-declared environmental claim programmes, including selection of assessment methods, access to information and involvement of interested parties.
- Conformity assessment and reporting: Covers conformity assessment approaches, data quality, reporting formats, and publication of supporting information.
Applications
This standard is practical for a wide range of stakeholders involved in product environmental communications:
- Manufacturers and brand owners preparing product environmental claims and symbols.
- Environmental programme operators that set criteria and verify self-declared claims.
- Compliance, sustainability and marketing teams ensuring claims are substantiated and defensible.
- Certification bodies and third-party verifiers using standardized evaluation methods.
Benefits include:
- Improved credibility: Clear verification steps reduce risk of misleading claims.
- Consistency: Shared definitions and methods enable comparable communications across markets.
- Regulatory alignment: Guidance helps companies keep voluntary claims distinct from legally required information.
- Better consumer information: Transparent supporting information and explanatory text increase trust.
Related Standards
- ISO 14020 series (general principles and types of environmental labels and declarations)
- National and regional labelling regulations and mandatory environmental information requirements
For organizations preparing or evaluating Type II environmental labelling, prEN ISO 14021 provides a structured approach to drafting, assessing and verifying self-declared environmental claims while emphasizing transparency, data quality and conformity assessment. As a draft circulated for comment, users should monitor final publication for any updates or refinements.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2025
Okoljske označbe in deklaracije - Okoljsko samodeklariranje (okoljsko
označevanje II. vrste)
Environmental labels and declarations — Self-declared environmental claims (Type II
environmental labelling)
ISO 14021 Umweltaussagen und -programme für Produkte - Selbsterklärter
Umweltanspruch
Marquage et déclarations environnementaux Autodéclarations environnementales
(Étiquetage de type II)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 14021
ICS:
13.020.50 Označevanje z ekološko Ecolabelling
nalepko
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 14021
ISO/TC 207/SC 3
Environmental statements and
Secretariat: SA
programmes for products — Self-
Voting begins on:
declared environmental claims
2025-04-28
ICS: 13.020.50
Voting terminates on:
2025-07-21
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 14021
ISO/TC 207/SC 3
Environmental statements and
Secretariat: SA
programmes for products — Self-
Voting begins on:
declared environmental claims
ICS: 13.020.50
Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2025
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .vi
Introduction .vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Terms related to the environment .1
3.2 Terms related to the environmental statements .2
3.3 Terms related to programmes .4
3.4 Terms related to products and their characteristics .5
3.5 Terms related to processes and activities .8
3.6 Other terms .9
4 Principles . 10
5 Other types of environmental statements . 10
5.1 General .10
5.2 ISO 14020 series of documents .11
5.3 Footprint communications .11
5.4 Carbon neutral .11
5.5 Low carbon energy .11
5.6 Statements of sustainability .11
5.7 Statements of circularity . 12
6 Requirements applying to self-declared environmental claim programmes .12
6.1 Self-declared environmental claim programme . 12
6.2 Environmental statement programme operator . 13
6.3 Involvement of interested parties . 13
6.4 Scope of the programme, responsible parties and intended audiences . 13
6.5 Specified requirements and criteria for the evaluation of self-declared environmental
claims . 13
6.5.1 Responsibilities of the programme operator . 13
6.5.2 Selection of assessment methods . 13
6.5.3 Access to information . 13
6.6 Quantification methodologies, data quality and reporting .14
6.7 Conformity assessment . 15
6.8 Format of self-declared environmental claims, reporting and publication . 15
6.9 Changes or revisions to environmental statement programmes, specified requirements
and criteria and self-declared environmental claims . 15
7 Requirements applying to all self-declared environmental claims .15
7.1 General . 15
7.2 Multiple self-declared environmental claims .16
7.3 Other information and statements .16
7.4 Use of symbols and graphics in self-declared environmental claims .16
7.5 Comparative self-declared environmental claims .17
7.6 Explanatory text and supporting information .18
7.6.1 Explanatory text .18
7.6.2 Supporting information .18
7.7 Claims of “… free” .19
7.8 Claims of attribution using chain of custody models .19
7.9 Donations and contributions . 20
7.10 Endorsements . 20
7.11 Vague or non-specific self-declared environmental claims . 20
7.11.1 General . 20
7.11.2 Natural content . 20
7.11.3 Claims based on geographical origin . 20
iii
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
7.11.4 Statements of sustainability . 20
7.11.5 Disposal into the general waste stream .21
8 Requirements for selected self-declared environmental claims .21
8.1 General .21
8.2 Designed for disassembly . 22
8.2.1 Description . 22
8.2.2 Limitations . 22
8.2.3 Assessment method . 23
8.3 Designed for dismantling . 23
8.3.1 Description . 23
8.3.2 Limitations . 23
8.3.3 Assessment method .24
8.4 Recovered material .24
8.4.1 Description .24
8.4.2 Limitations .24
8.4.3 Assessment method . 25
8.5 Recycled content . 25
8.5.1 Description . 25
8.5.2 Limitations . 25
8.5.3 Assessment method . 26
8.5.4 Use of a symbol . 26
8.6 “… free” . 26
8.6.1 Description . 26
8.6.2 Limitations .27
8.6.3 Assessment method .27
8.7 Recovered energy .27
8.7.1 Description .27
8.7.2 Limitations .27
8.7.3 Assessment method .27
8.8 Renewable material . 28
8.8.1 Description . 28
8.8.2 Limitations . 28
8.8.3 Assessment method . 29
8.9 Renewable energy . 29
8.9.1 Description . 29
8.9.2 Limitations . 29
8.9.3 Assessment method . 29
8.10 Bio-based . 29
8.10.1 Description . 29
8.10.2 Limitations . 29
8.10.3 Assessment method . 30
8.11 Reusable . 30
8.11.1 Description . 30
8.11.2 Limitations . 30
8.11.3 Assessment method . 30
8.12 Refillable . 30
8.12.1 Description . 30
8.12.2 Limitations . 30
8.12.3 Assessment method .31
8.13 Repairability .31
8.13.1 Description .31
8.13.2 Limitations .31
8.13.3 Assessment method .32
8.14 Compostable .32
8.14.1 Description .32
8.14.2 Limitations .32
8.14.3 Assessment method . 33
8.15 Degradable . 33
iv
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
8.15.1 Description . 33
8.15.2 Limitations . 33
8.15.3 Assessment method . 34
8.16 Biodegradable . 34
8.16.1 Description . 34
8.16.2 Limitations . 34
8.16.3 Assessment method . 35
8.17 Recyclable . 35
8.17.1 Description . 35
8.17.2 Limitations . 35
8.17.3 Assessment method . 35
8.17.4 Use of a symbol . 36
8.18 Extended life . 36
8.18.1 Description . 36
8.18.2 Description . 36
8.18.3 Assessment method .37
8.19 Waste reduction .37
8.19.1 Description .37
8.19.2 Limitations .37
8.19.3 Assessment method .37
8.20 Reduced resource use .37
8.20.1 Description .37
8.20.2 Limitations . 38
8.20.3 Assessment method . 38
8.21 Reduced energy consumption of products . 39
8.21.1 Description . 39
8.21.2 Limitations . 39
8.21.3 Assessment method . 39
8.22 Reduced water use of products . 39
8.22.1 Description . 39
8.22.2 Limitations . 39
8.22.3 Assessment method . 39
Annex A (informative) Examples of supporting information for self-declared environmental
claims .40
Annex B (informative) Simplified diagrammatic representation of a recycling system .44
Annex C (informative) Conformity assessment methods .45
Annex D (informative) Chain of Custody .46
Bibliography .50
v
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
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 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207/SC 3 Environmental Labelling.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 14021:2016), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— The elements that are common to all the documents in the 14020 series have been removed and are now
in ISO 14020-2022.
— the addition of a normative reference to the revised ISO 14020.
— the structuring of the document to correspond with the structure of ISO 14020.
— Self-declared environmental claims are now required to be part of a documented “programme”.
— inclusion of enhanced requirements for documentary information to be retained to demonstrate
the validity/veracity of the self-declared environmental claim. Inclusion of new requirements to
disclose the effect of attribution of characteristics where it impacts the reliability of some self-
declared environmental claims
— inclusion of guidance about the role that maintaining a chain of custody plays in assessing certain
self-declared environmental claims, such as recycled content.
— updating of the specific claims included in Clause 8 to reflect changes in the market.
— updating of reference documents.
A list of all parts in the ISO 14020 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
vi
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
Introduction
0.1 This document contains principles, requirements and guidance for self-declared environmental claims
that provide environmental information about products. The validity and accuracy of such claims is
essential to avoid unfair competition that can arise from vague, unreliable and deceptive environmental
claims (i.e. greenwashing). When assessment methods used by those who make self-declared
environmental claims, are transparent, scientifically sound and documented, those who purchase, or
may potentially purchase, products can be assured of the validity and accuracy of the claims.
0.2 Self-declared environmental claims may be made by manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers
or anyone else likely to benefit from such claims. Self-declared environmental claims made in regard
to products may take the form of words, symbols or graphics or combinations thereof 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.
0.3 Self-declared environmental claims are one type of environmental statement. The overall goal of
environmental statements is to:
a) communicate accurate and relevant information about the environmental aspects or impacts of
products,
b) encourage the demand for and supply of products that cause less stress on the environment, and
c) stimulate market-driven continual environmental improvement in products.
0.4 The objective of this document is to harmonize the use of self-declared environmental claims. The
benefits using this document will be:
a) accurate, relevant and verifiable self-declared environmental claims that are not misleading,
b) increased potential for market forces to stimulate and improve environmental aspects in
production, processes, products,
c) prevention or minimization of unwarranted claims and greenwashing,
d) less marketplace confusion,
e) facilitation of international trade, and
f) increased opportunities for purchasers, potential purchasers and users of the product to make
better informed choices.
0.5 The international harmonization of requirements for self-declared environmental claims is intended
to help businesses, especially SMEs, to present substantiated, correct and transparent environmental
information on their products, consequently limiting the risk of “greenwashing”.
0.6 Third party audits are not required but the additional rigour is intended to help users of the standard
avoid greenwashing.
0.7 This document provides a framework for regulatory authorities of all types and sizes and trade
associations to identify “best practices” in self-declared environmental claims.
0.8 This document is one of a series of ISO documents (i.e. the ISO 14020 series of documents) that provide
requirements and guidance for different types of environmental statements. The documents in the
ISO 14020 series include:
— ISO 14020: common terms and definitions, principles and general requirements for all environmental
statements (e.g. self-declared environmental claims, ecolabels, EPDs and footprint communications)
and associated programmes that enable the communication of environmental aspects and
environmental impacts of products.
— ISO 14021: requirements for environmental statements in the form of self-declared environmental claims.
vii
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
— ISO 14024: requirements for environmental statements in the form of environmental labels known
as ecolabels.
— ISO 14025: requirements for environmental statements in the form of environmental product
declarations (EPDs).
— ISO 14026: requirements for environmental statements in the form of footprint communications.
— ISO/TS 14027: requirements for product category rules (PCR) that support the use of life cycle
assessment (LCA) as a method to compile and evaluate information that is used as a basis for making
environmental statements.
— ISO/TS 14029: requirements for the mutual recognition of EPDs, footprint communications and
associated programmes.
This following diagram provides the structure of the ISO 14020 series of documents in graphic form.
Figure 1 — Structure of the ISO 14020 series of standards
0.9 This document makes normative reference to requirements in ISO 14020. Those requfirements refer
to the generic term ‘environmental statement’. In reading this document and ISO 14020 together, the
generic term ‘environmental statement’ in ISO 14020 can be interpreted as referring to the specific
term included in this document i.e. ‘self-declared environment claim’.
viii
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
Environmental statements and programmes for products —
Self-declared environmental claims
1 Scope
This document establishes principles, specifies requirements and gives guidance for self-declared
environmental claims about products and their programmes, including claims that also cover related social
and economic aspects that are affected by environmental conditions or the environmental performance of
the product.
This document also defines selected terms commonly used in self-declared environmental claims and
provides qualifications for their use, as well as describing the documentation and methodologies required
for assessing self-declared environmental claims.
This document is applicable to self-declared environmental claims that are predominantly take the form of
words, but can also be used for symbols and graphics on product or package labels, or in product literature,
technical bulletins, advertising and publicity, including on digital platforms.
2 Normative references
The following document is referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of its content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14020, Environmental statements and programmes for products — Principles and general requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14020 and ISO 14050 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Terms related to the environment
3.1.1
environment
surroundings in which an organization (3.6.1) operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora,
fauna, humans, and their interrelationships
Note 1 to entry: Surroundings can extend from within an organization to the local, regional and global system.
Note 2 to entry: Surroundings can be described in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, climate or other characteristics of
an organization’s activities (including projects) or products (3.4.1). that interact or can interact with the environment.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.2]
ISO/DIS 14021:2025(en)
3.1.2
environmental aspect
element of an organization’s (3.6.1) activities or products (3.4.1) that interacts or can interact with
the environment (3.1.1).
Note 1 to entry: Typically, environmental aspects can include emissions to air, discharges to water and waste (3.4.6)
arisings, which in turn can generate environmental and health impacts such as global warming, smog, water pollution
or contaminated land.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.3]
3.1.3
environmental impact
change to the environment (3.1.1) whether adverse or beneficial, including possible consequences, wholly or
partially resulting from an organization’s (3.6.1) environmental aspects (3.1.
...
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN ISO 14021 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Environmental statements and programmes for products - Self-declared environmental claims (ISO/DIS 14021:2025)". This standard covers: 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.
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.
prEN ISO 14021 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.020.50 - Ecolabelling. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN ISO 14021 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 14021:2016, EN ISO 14021:2016/A1:2021. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN ISO 14021 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 765/2008; Standardization Mandates: M/580. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase prEN ISO 14021 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
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