Overview
ISO 14021:2016 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) - specifies requirements for manufacturers, sellers and other claimants who make self-declared environmental claims about products. The standard covers the wording, symbols and graphics used on product labels and in marketing, defines commonly used terms, and sets out a general evaluation and verification methodology for such claims. ISO 14021:2016 complements the ISO 14020 series and does not override legally required environmental information or applicable laws.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Clarifies terms commonly used in Type II claims to ensure consistent meaning across claims.
- General requirements: Rules for clarity, substantiation, avoidance of vague or non‑specific claims, and correct use of comparative statements.
- Restrictions on certain expressions: Guidance on claims like “... free” (e.g., “lead-free”), “sustainable”, and other potentially misleading terms.
- Use of symbols: Requirements for symbols used to support claims, including guidance on the Mobius loop and other common graphics.
- Evaluation and verification:
- Responsibilities of the claimant to substantiate claims.
- Requirements for reliable evaluation methodology and documentation.
- Selection of appropriate methods and access to underlying information for verification.
- Specific claim requirements: Detailed qualifications and evaluation methodologies for selected claims, including (but not limited to):
- Compostable, Degradable
- Designed for disassembly, Extended life product
- Recyclable, Recycled content
- Reduced energy/resource/water consumption, Reusable and refillable
- Waste reduction, Renewable material/energy
- Claims relating to greenhouse gas emissions (product carbon footprint, “carbon neutral”)
Practical applications and who uses it
ISO 14021:2016 is used by:
- Manufacturers and brand owners creating product labels, packaging or marketing materials with environmental claims.
- Marketing and compliance teams validating green claims to avoid misleading consumers.
- Environmental consultants and ecolabelling auditors performing self-declaration verification.
- Procurement officers and retailers evaluating supplier claims.
- Product designers and eco‑design teams using claim criteria to guide material selection and end‑of‑life planning.
Practical uses include substantiating recyclable/recycled-content claims, documenting reduced energy or water use for promotion, preparing defensible carbon footprint statements, and establishing internal verification processes to meet buyer or regulatory expectations.
Related Standards (if applicable)
- ISO 14020 (general principles for environmental labels and declarations)
- ISO 14024 (Type I - eco‑label program principles and procedures)
- ISO 14025 (Type III - environmental product declarations)
Using ISO 14021 helps organizations create clear, verifiable product-level environmental claims that build consumer trust and reduce regulatory and reputational risk.
Open preview (PDF)Environmental labels and declarations — Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling)