Date: 2021-10-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Decision (EU) 2021/1845 of 20 October 2021 amending Decision (EU) 2017/175 as regards the period of validity of the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation and of the related assessment and verification requirements (notified under document C(2021) 7427) (Text with EEA relevance)
Executive Summary:
This Commission Decision extends the validity of the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation, as defined in Decision EU 2017/175, until June 30, 2025. The extension allows the Commission time to revise the criteria after the sector recovers, ensuring market continuity for license holders. This decision amends the original Decision EU 2017/175 accordingly.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Extension of Validity:**
* The EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation and related assessment/verification requirements are extended.
* The new expiration date is June 30, 2025.
* This replaces the original expiration date of January 26, 2022.
* **Rationale for Extension:**
* Allows the Commission to revise the product group criteria after sector recovery.
* Provides market continuity for current and future EU Ecolabel license holders.
* **Decision Basis:**
* Based on the EU Ecolabel Fitness check conclusions.
* Supported by the Committee established by Article 16 of Regulation EC No 66/2010.
* **Amendment:**
* Article 6 of Decision EU 2017/175 is amended to reflect the new validity date.
Impact Analysis:
Member States:
* Impact: Must acknowledge and implement the extended validity of the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodations within their jurisdiction.
* Action Required: No direct action is explicitly stated, but Member States should ensure their national regulations align with the extended validity period.
EU Ecolabel License Holders (Tourist Accommodations):
* Impact: Can continue to benefit from the EU Ecolabel for their services, maintaining market continuity.
* Action Required: Ensure continued compliance with the EU Ecolabel criteria to maintain their certification until the revised criteria are published and implemented.
European Commission:
* Impact: Has an extended timeframe to revise the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodations.
* Action Required: Use the extended period to revise the product group criteria after the sector has recovered.
EU Ecolabelling Board:
* Impact: Will continue to be involved in assessing and updating the EU Ecolabel criteria.
* Action Required: Support the Commission in the revision process of the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodations.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU budget.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, detailing the organization and functioning of the EU.
Regulation EC No 66/2010: A regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the EU Ecolabel scheme.
European Parliament: The directly elected parliamentary body of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: A legislative body of the European Union comprised of government ministers from each member state.
EU Ecolabel: A voluntary ecolabel scheme established to encourage businesses to market goods and services that are environmentally friendly.
Commission Decision EU 2017/175: A Commission decision establishing EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation.
22.10.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 376/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
DECISIONS
COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2021/1845
of 20 October 2021
amending Decision (EU) 2017/175 as regards the period of validity of the EU Ecolabel criteria for
tourist accommodation and of the related assessment and verification requirements
(notified under document C(2021) 7427)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009on the
EU Ecolabel(1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
After consulting the European Union Ecolabelling Board,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 provides that the EU Ecolabel may be awarded to products with a reduced
environmental impact during their entire life cycle. Specific EU Ecolabel criteria are to be established for each
product group.
(2) By Decision (EU) 2017/175(2), the Commission established EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group ‘tourist
accommodation’. The validity of those criteria and of the related assessment and verification requirements is to
expire on 26 January 2022.
(3) In line with the conclusions of the EU Ecolabel Fitness check of 30 June 2017(3), the Commission, together with the
EU Ecolabelling Board, assessed and confirmed the relevance of the product group ‘tourist accommodation’, as well
as the relevance and appropriateness of the current EU Ecolabel criteria for that product group and of the related
assessment and verification requirements.
(4) In line with the conclusions of the EU Ecolabel Fitness check of 30 June 2017, the Commission, together with the EU
Ecolabelling Board, is giving priority to the implementation of several actions to increase the uptake of the EU
Ecolabel for this product group, promoting it as a valuable tool for a sustainable recovery.
(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.
(2) Commission Decision (EU) 2017/175 of 25 January 2017 on establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation (OJ L 28,
2.2.2017, p. 9).
(3) Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the review of implementation of Regulation (EC)
No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations
in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and the Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the parliament and of the Council
of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (COM(2017) 355 final).L 376/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 22.10.2021
(5) It is therefore appropriate to prolong the validity of the EU Ecolabel criteria and of the related assessment and
verification requirements set out in Decision (EU) 2017/175 in order for the Commission to be able to revise this
product group once the sector has recovered.
(6) The duration of the extension should be sufficiently long as to allow a complete finalisation of the revision process
and to provide a reliable perspective allowing market continuity for current and future licence holders that can
maintain the benefits of the EU Ecolabel on their awarded products in the meanwhile.
(7) Decision (EU) 2017/175 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by
Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Article 6 of Decision (EU) 2017/175 is replaced by the following:
‘Article 6
The EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group “tourist accommodation” and the related assessment and verification
requirements shall be valid until 30 June 2025.’.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 20 October 2021.
For the Commission
Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS
Member of the Commission