To be awarded the Ecolabel, tourist accommodations have to comply with 22 mandatory criteria, and receive at least 20 points from compliance with additional optional criteria. Moreover, as a pre-requisite, the services shall meet all respective legal requirements of the country(ies) in which the ‘tourist accommodation’ is located, including the obligation to employ and insure staff legally. See below how Ecolabel criteria guarantee excellent environmental performances. For the full list of requirements, please refer to the official Ecolabel criteria for Tourist Accommodation.

Ecolabel guarantees

An optimised environmental management

🍃The setting and implementation of an environmental management system
🍃Engagement of staff and customers through training and provision of information on environmental practices
🍃Monitoring of energy, water, food and product consumption data per guest/night as well as the number of cleaning products used
🍃EMAS and/or ISO 14001 registration (optional)

Reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions

🍃Preventive maintenance of appliances and devices
🍃Water heating appliances, household air conditioning and air-based heat pumps as well as lighting to respect at least a certain energy class
🍃Automatic switch off options to regulate the temperature in common areas
🍃No heating or air conditioning in outside areas
🍃Up to 100% of electricity from renewable energy sources (depending on the number of contractors in the region)

Reduced water consumption

🍃The average water flow rate of taps and toilet flushing to respect certain thresholds
🍃No daily change of sheets and towels unless explicitly requested by guests
🍃Optimised pool management policy, recycling rainwater and grey water and efficient irrigation systems (optional)

Reduced use of chemicals as well as of pesticides

🍃Outsourcing of laundry and cleaning services to providers awarded with an ISO Type I ecolabel (optional)
🍃Purchase of products such as detergents, and rinse-off cosmetics with the EU Ecolabel or other Type I ecolabels (optional)
🍃The use of at least two organic farming produce in daily meal preparations, and banning all use of pesticides in outside areas (optional)

Reduced waste generation and optimised waste management

🍃No single dose packages for nonperishable food stuffs, and disposable toiletries items unless requested by guests (or prescribed at national level under specific circumstances)
🍃Disposable food service items only allowed if there is an agreement with a recycler
🍃No disposable towels and bed sheets
🍃Adequate containers for waste separation in the rooms or on all floors
🍃Waste separation

Reduced emissions from transport

🍃Information on environmentally preferable means of transport to reach the accommodations provided to guests
🍃Special agreements with transport agencies as well the offer of eco-friendly transportation such bikes or electric vehicles (optional)
🍃No combustion motor vehicles for the maintenance of the grounds (optional)
🍃At least two locally sourced and not out of season food products provided at each meal and collaboration with local producers (optional)

Limitation of food waste

🍃The implementation of a documented ‘food waste reduction plan’

Tourist facilities have to create a defined environmental action plan to determine their environmental performance and monitor their progress. The ECO LABEL labeling program helps facilities set the right targets for their environmental participation, establish an environmental policy and action program, establish an environmental management system with an assessment process, and consequently measure the impact of their activities.
REA