What is the EU Ecolabel? Everything you need to know.

When we established Earthborn over a decade ago we were committed to bringing to market a true eco alternative to conventional paints. Our commitment to paints which are gentle on the environment and healthier to live with has never wavered.

Since then there has been a growing trend for “green,” environmentally friendly or natural paints. The environmental credentials for some of these paints vary.  When looking for reassurance we recommend two things:

1.Look for the EU Ecolabel. The Ecolabel is unique because it is truly independent of any profit making organisation and not an accreditation that can be ‘bought’.
2.Look for a list of ingredients on the tin. We are proud to list the ingredients because we know exactly what has gone in to every tin.

Earthborn was the first paint brand in the UK to be licensed to carry the EU Ecolabel. But what does it mean and why are we so proud of this achievement?

There are various accreditations available but the Ecolabel is unique because it is truly independent of any profit making organisation and not an accreditation that can be ‘bought’.

It provides independent, third party assurance that the product meets the highest possible environmental performance and is the only environmental product certification scheme that is accepted EU wide.

We are proud that the following products from the Earthborn paint family have met the stringent criteria to carry the EU Ecolabel flower symbol:

• • Claypaint

• Lifestyle emulsion

• Eco Chic Claypaint for Furniture

• Eggshell No. 17

• Ecopro Matt Emulsion

• Ecopro Lo Sheen Emulsion

• Ecopro Eggshell Emulsion

How the EU Ecolabel works

The EU Ecolabel seeks to minimise the various environmental impacts at each stage of a product’s life and a number of key criteria need to be considered. When you see products that bear the EU Ecolabel, you can be sure that they:

• Produce less waste and pollution when compared with similar products on the market

• Minimise the use of hazardous substances, which can harm health, animal and plant life

• Are verified by Independent Experts

• Perform effectively – and help reduce energy and water use

What about SKA Rating?

In turn, by carrying the EU Ecolabel our paints comply with the criteria of SKA Rating, a system launched by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for rating the environmental impact of retail and office fit-outs in the UK.

SKA Rating comprises good practice measures across energy and CO2, waste, water, pollution, transport, materials and wellbeing. Depending on the number of measures achieved, and the significance of these from a sustainability perspective, a fit-out can earn a gold, silver or bronze SKA ranking.

Take a look at our Case Study to see how Earthborn paints contributed to cosmetics brand Lush achieving a gold SKA Rating in their shops.

Next time you are looking for a true ‘Eco’ paint, look out for the EU Ecolabel flower symbol.

For more information on the EU Ecolabel please click here.