Understanding ISO Labels
Type I (ISO 14024) labels are awarded by independent third parties to products or services that meet specific environmental criteria. They consider the full life cycle of a product and act as official endorsements. When a product meets predefined environmental criteria within a specific product category, the product gets awarded a license to use an environmental label — examples include the EU Ecolabel and Fair Trade. Type I labels help consumers easily identify products with a lower environmental impact.
Type II (ISO 14021) declarations are self-declared environmental claims made directly by manufacturers—for example, stating that a product is made from 100% recycled materials. While these claims are not independently verified, ISO 14021 provides guidance to ensure they are truthful, accurate, not misleading, and specific to the environmental aspect being addressed. The standard also requires that such claims be substantiated with proper documentation, which should be readily available for verification if requested. By following the standard, companies are better equipped to make credible claims and avoid the risks of greenwashing.
Type III (ISO 14025) declarations, also known as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), are detailed, third-party-verified reports based on life cycle assessments (LCAs) and predetermined parameters (Product Category Rules - PCR). Rather than endorsing a product, EPDs provide objective, standardized data, allowing users to compare the environmental performance of similar products. These declarations are typically published through recognized program operators and made publicly available, ensuring transparency and accessibility for regulators, customers, and other stakeholders.
Why Adherence Matters
Environmental claims without solid backing risk being dismissed as greenwashing. ISO standards, like those for EPDs under ISO 14025, provide the credibility needed to build trust with customers, partners, and regulators. They also open doors to international markets, where environmental transparency is now a baseline expectation.
EPDs allow manufacturers to present verified, comparable data about their products’ environmental impacts — helping them strengthen their brand, meet regulatory demands, and stay competitive in a market that increasingly rewards genuine sustainability.
How To Simplify Reporting
EandoX makes environmental declarations easier and faster. Our cloud-based platform centralizes product data, automates updates, connects with supplier systems, and streamlines reporting. Whether you’re working with Type I, Type II, or III declarations, EandoX helps you organize and manage the data needed to meet each standard’s requirements.
With EandoX, businesses can generate accurate, ISO-compliant EPDs, ready for third-party verification, without the typical complexity — freeing up time to focus on innovation and sustainable growth. Book a demo!
