Nordic Swan Ecolabel

What is the Nordic Swan Ecolabel?

The Nordic Swan ecolabel is the official Nordic environmental label and one of the world’s most ambitious environmental certifications. The label was established by the Nordic Council of Ministers and is supported by the authorities in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.

The Nordic Swan ecolabel assesses a product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle from raw materials and production to use, recycling, and waste. Only products and services that meet strict requirements for the environment, climate, chemicals, quality, and resource consumption can achieve certification.

The certification is verified by an independent third party, which makes the Nordic Swan ecolabel a credible and recognized environmental label throughout Europe.

When you choose Nordic Swan ecolabeled products, you choose products with documented lower environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.
Swan-labeled products offer, among other things:

Product-specific requirements: The requirements vary depending on the type of product, as different products affect the environment, climate, health, and biodiversity differently.

Strict chemical requirements: Protects both people and nature by limiting harmful substances.

Aspiring environmental requirements: Includes efficient resource use, responsible raw materials, protection of biodiversity, design for reuse and recycling, lower climate footprint, as well as high quality and longer lifespan. Products that last longer reduce the need for new production and minimize waste.

Continuously updated requirements: The certification is continuously adapted to new knowledge and technological development. Companies must document that their products continue to meet the latest requirements.

Thorough control and credibility: Products undergo a comprehensive certification process, including documentation assessment and control visits at production sites – also outside the Nordic region. The independent control ensures that the brand is credible for both companies and consumers.

The Nordic Swan ecolabel supports several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:

  • Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Strict chemical requirements reduce harmful substances in products.
  • Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Requirements for responsible water use and limitation of chemicals protect the water environment.
  • Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Focus on resource efficiency and circular economy.
  • Goal 13 – Climate Action: Requirements for energy efficiency and lower climate impact.
  • Goals 14 and 15 – Life Below Water and Life on Land: Protection of nature, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

The Nordic Swan ecolabel makes it easy for consumers, businesses, and public organizations to make more sustainable choices and contribute to the green transition.