EU ECOLABEL AT A GLANCE
• Official environment label of the European Union • Introduced by the European Commission in 1992 • Certification of hotels and camping sites since 2000 • 900+ awarded holiday accommodations globally • Independent verification
The Hotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany, was EU Ecolabel certified in 2023
in Germany through three bodies: German
Environment Agency (criteria development); Independent auditors (on-site assessment); and RAL gGmbH (certificate review and issuance)
systems, staff training, consumption tracking and the maintenance of technical equipment. Compared with many other labels, the requirements are demanding, combining 22 mandatory criteria with 45 optional measures that enable accommodation providers to tailor their approach while maintaining a high overall standard. For travellers, this translates into confidence that environmental claims are meaningful. For businesses, it offers a structured way to identify environmental “hotspots” and address them systematically. Although the EU Ecolabel does not currently calculate a product carbon footprint, its comprehensive scope ensures that the most significant impacts of accommodation services are addressed in a coherent way. Stechemesser says it is “conceivable that the EU Ecolabel will introduce a product carbon footprint in the future”. Trust in a crowded marketplace As sustainability claims multiply, trust has become one of the most valuable currencies in tourism. Independent and credible environmental labels play a crucial
role in maintaining that trust, particularly as regulation tightens. Stechemesser emphasises that the EmpCo Directive will change the landscape by only allowing labels introduced by public bodies or based on robust, independently monitored systems. “Independent and credible sustainability labels are very important,” she says. For accommodation providers, this means that choosing a recognised label such as the EU Ecolabel is not only a signal to guests, but also a way to prepare for future regulatory requirements. “Companies can be sure that they comply with upcoming European legislation on environmental information for consumers when they choose the EU Ecolabel.” A clearer future for travel Looking ahead, Stechemesser hopes that credible labels such as the EU Ecolabel will become clear points of distinction in the tourism market. “We hope that credible sustainability labels for environmental excellence will become established in the future and that hotels and campsites will focus on these types of labels,” she says. A more
• Also certifies a range of environmentally friendly products, including
detergents, cleaning agents cosmetics, textiles and paints
transparent landscape would make it easier for travellers to factor sustainability into their decisions and reward businesses that invest seriously in reducing their impact. Industry platforms have an important role to play in this transition. By highlighting credible standards and explaining why they matter, events such as ITB Berlin can help build awareness and understanding across the sector. “This will make tourists more aware of these labels and encourage them to consider sustainability and sustainability labels when planning their next holiday,” Stechemesser concludes. In a tourism industry striving to align growth with responsibility, the EU Ecolabel stands as a practical tool for turning ambition into action.
| 133
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker