Products that have been certified according to the criteria of the eco-INSTITUT-Label are thoroughly tested by eco-INSTITUT for emissions and hazardous substances. Nevertheless, advertising claims in connection with these products such as ‘free of hazardous substances’ or ‘suitable for use by people with allergies’ are misleading and therefore not permitted. Terms such as ‘low in pollutants and emissions’ or ‘harmless to health’ are correct, however.

As part of the eco-INSTITUT-Label certification process, eco-INSTITUT performs extensive emissions and pollutant tests and evaluates the results according to strict requirements. In addition, the first step – the preliminary test/document check – involves examining whether a product contains any substances that are hazarduous to health or the environment. Based on the manufacturer’s information on the materials used (full declaration) and safety data sheets and other product information, eco-INSTITUT checks compliance with the basic requirements of the respective eco-INSTITUT-Label criteria.

For example, the use of certain substances that are hazardous to health or the environment is prohibited. Only products that meet these basic requirements are admitted to laboratory testing and actual certification.

Hardly any tested product is 100% free of pollutants and emissions. At least traces of emissions and pollutants can be detected in almost all of them. For example, wood always emits a certain amount of substances inherent to wood (these include terpenes, which can be recognised by their typical ‘Christmas tree scent’). These emissions are also assessed as part of the eco-INSTITUT-Label criteria, but they can and do not have to be ‘0’. Products awarded the eco-INSTITUT-Label can therefore be described as low in pollutants and emissions and thus being non-hazarduous to health. 

Allergy potential

There are countless substances to which individuals may have allergic reactions – it is impossible to test for all of them comprehensively. However, if a product contains only a few harmful substances, its allergy potential is also reduced. Nevertheless, even substances that are normally harmless can cause allergic reactions in some people when present in very small concentrations. eco-INSTITUT therefore does not use the terms ‘suitable for use by people with allergies’ or ‘allergy-friendly’ in connection with certified products and also penalises misleading statements made by holders of the eco-INSTITUT-Label.

More information on approved advertising claims can be found in the information sheet ‘Advertising correctly with the eco-INSTITUT-Label’.

Further infos oneco-INSTITUT-Label: Test criteria and testing range, certification process, data base of certified products

Text and image: Karin Roth