ISO 14024: Standards for Type I Environmental Labelling (Ecolabelling) Programs

Introduction

ISO 14024 (Environmental Statements and Programmes for Products — Ecolabels) is part of the ISO 14020 family of environmental labelling standards and provides the internationally recognized framework for Type I environmental labelling programs. First published in 1999 and subsequently revised, the standard establishes principles and procedures for creating ecolabel schemes that identify products or services that are environmentally preferable within a specific product category. Unlike self-declared environmental claims, ISO 14024-based labels rely on independent third-party verification and predefined environmental criteria. The standard requires that environmental considerations extend across the product life cycle, helping prevent the transfer of impacts from one stage of the life cycle to another. Its overall objective is to encourage the production and purchase of products with reduced environmental impacts while improving the credibility and transparency of environmental claims. Many well-known ecolabels, including the EU Ecolabel, are based on ISO 14024 principles and use product-specific criteria developed through structured assessment and stakeholder consultation processes.

What ISO 14024 requires

ISO 14024 establishes requirements for organizations that operate Type I environmental labelling programs. Key principles include:

• Developing environmental criteria using life cycle considerations rather than focusing on a single environmental attribute.

• Defining product categories and performance requirements through transparent procedures.

• Using independent third-party verification to assess compliance with program criteria before a label is awarded.

• Consulting relevant stakeholders, including industry representatives, environmental organizations, technical experts, and consumers, during criteria development and revision.

• Publishing criteria, procedures, and program information to ensure transparency and credibility.

• Periodically reviewing and updating criteria to reflect technological developments, environmental priorities, and market changes.

The standard is voluntary and does not prescribe specific environmental thresholds or product requirements. Instead, it provides the framework that ecolabel operators use when creating and administering certification schemes.

Current Status & Outlook

ISO 14024 remains one of the most influential international standards for environmental labelling and continues to serve as a benchmark for Type I ecolabel programs worldwide. Organizations such as the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) recognize ISO 14024 as a foundational reference for credible ecolabelling schemes. In 2026, ISO published a new edition of ISO 14024, updating the standard's requirements and guidance for Type I environmental labelling programs. The revision reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, consistency, and trust in environmental claims as governments, businesses, and consumers place greater scrutiny on sustainability communications and green marketing. The continued growth of sustainable procurement policies, ecolabel-based purchasing criteria, and initiatives aimed at addressing greenwashing is likely to increase the importance of ISO 14024-aligned certification programs across consumer goods, industrial products, and service sectors.