Sustainability
Product Labels That Hold Up Under the EU Green Claims Rules: EU Ecolabel, FSC and OEKO-TEX
EU Ecolabel, FSC and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 each certify something different. What each label covers, what it does not, and how to word a claim on a hotel product.
By Mono Supplies4 min readPublished
EU Ecolabel certifies environmental performance across a product's life. FSC certifies where the wood or paper fibre came from. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies that textiles passed tests for harmful substances. They are not interchangeable, and a hotel claim has to match what the label actually covers, not the general impression it gives.
Since 27 September 2026, the rules implementing Directive (EU) 2024/825 restrict generic environmental claims and non-certified labels. That makes a recognised scheme the safest basis for a product claim, provided you describe it accurately. Our guide to the green claims rules covers what the directive prohibits.
What does the EU Ecolabel cover?
The EU Ecolabel has product groups for furniture and for mattresses. For furniture it covers free-standing and built-in items such as tables, shelves, cupboards, chairs and sofas, indoor or outdoor. Its criteria deal with sourcing of virgin wood from legal, sustainably managed forests, restricted hazardous substances, limits on harmful residues in upholstery and low formaldehyde emissions.
- Furniture criteria are valid to 31 December 2029.
- Mattress criteria are valid to 31 December 2030, covering restricted hazardous substances, responsibly sourced materials and lower indoor air pollution.
- It is an officially recognised label for the purpose of the directive's "excellent environmental performance" exception, which is why it sits at the top of the list for generic claims.
What does FSC certify?
FSC is a forestry label. It tells you the wood or paper comes from responsibly managed forests, not that the finished product has low emissions or is free of hazardous substances. The three label types differ.
- FSC 100%: all materials come from FSC-certified forests.
- FSC Recycled: the product is made entirely from recycled material.
- FSC Mix: a mixture of FSC-certified forest material, recycled material and, or, FSC-controlled wood, which is not from certified forests but reduces the risk of unacceptable sources.
For hotel furniture, ask which FSC label applies, which certificate holds the chain of custody and whether it covers the exact product ordered. The EU Deforestation Regulation is a separate legal requirement for wood products and is not satisfied by a label alone.
What does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certify?
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX marks textiles tested for harmful substances. Every component, down to threads and buttons, is tested against a list of more than 1,000 substances. It does not describe environmental performance in production, so calling a towel "eco-friendly" because it carries the label is a claim the label does not support.
- Class 2 covers products with direct skin contact, such as bed linen.
- Class 4 covers home textiles and decoration, such as curtains.
- Certificates are issued for one year, so check that the one you are shown is current.
Which label suits which product?
- Wooden furniture and headboards: EU Ecolabel for furniture, or FSC for the wood source, and the deforestation rules separately.
- Mattresses: EU Ecolabel for mattresses is the only one of the three written for them. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 can cover mattress textiles but its page does not mention mattresses directly, so ask the certifier.
- Bed linen, towels and curtains: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 classes 2 and 4.
How should a hotel check a supplier's label claim?
- Ask for the certificate, not a logo on a brochure.
- Check the certificate's scope covers the exact product and the date is current.
- Check the certificate holder is the manufacturer or listed supplier, not an unrelated company.
- Keep a copy in the supplier file and use only the wording the scheme allows.
Suppliers who can send certificates quickly generally run a tighter operation. If you are comparing partners, ask for sample certificates first.
Hotel product labels: quick answers
No. FSC certifies that wood or paper comes from responsibly managed forests. The EU Ecolabel looks at wider environmental performance, including hazardous substances and emissions, and has separate criteria for furniture and mattresses. A product can carry one, both or neither, so check which label and which certificate applies to the item you are buying.
Specifying certified products?
Tell us which labels your project needs and we will confirm which lines have current certificates and which we cannot document.
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