Product testing for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel: overview of requirements by category

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The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is an independent environmental certification scheme created by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1989 and operated by national ecolabelling organizations in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. A type I ecolabel under ISO 14024 and EU legislation, the Nordic Swan is recognized as a sign of “excellent environmental performance”.1 This recognition extends beyond Europe, as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also lists the label among recommended sustainability certifications.2

Third-party laboratory test results are typically required to show that products meet the criteria for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Measurlabs offers testing for several product groups, including paper and sanitary products, paints and varnishes, and other construction products.

What are the criteria for obtaining the Nordic Swan Ecolabel?

Exact eligibility criteria for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel are product-specific, but the following general principles apply across the board:

  • Raw materials must be acquired from sustainable and traceable sources, such as sustainable agriculture, certified forestry, or recycled streams. Safety and circularity objectives must be balanced (e.g., recycled fibers must not be used in high-risk food contact applications, such as baking paper).

  • Packaging must be recyclable, and plastic packaging must contain a set amount of recycled plastic. Recycling instructions must be displayed clearly on the packaging.

  • Manufacturing processes must be energy-efficient and minimize environmental emissions. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements are used to assess the environmental impact across various production processes.

  • Toxic or hazardous chemicals, such as SVHC substances, intentionally added microplastics, or known endocrine disruptors, must not be present unless their use is technically unavoidable. Even then, concentrations must be kept to the minimum required to achieve the desired effect.

  • Performance and quality must match or exceed those of comparable products. 

Compliance is demonstrated through a combination of supplier and manufacturer declarations, emissions calculations, safety data sheets for chemicals, and independent laboratory test results. The following sections summarize the testing-related requirements for selected product groups.

Paper products

Compositional requirements for Nordic Swan Ecolabeled paper are described in several criteria documents: a basic module, a general chemical module, and supplementary modules for copy and printing paper, grease-proof paper, and tissue paper.3 Selected laboratory tests required to show that paper products are eligible for the label are summarized in Table 1. 

Table 1: Nordic Swan Ecolabel testing requirements for paper products

Parameter (test method/standard)

Criteria

Applicable products

Formaldehyde (EN 1541)

1 mg/dm2

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers

Glyoxal (DIN 54603)

1.5 mg/dm2

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers

Polychlorinated biphenyls (EN ISO 15318)

0.05 mg/kg

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers

Pentachlorophenol (EN ISO 15320)

0.15 mg/kg

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers

Migration of bisphenols A, F, and S (EN 645)

0.05 mg/kg of food (per substance)

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers

Total organic fluorine (EN ISO 10304-1 or equivalent)

20 mg/kg

Tissue papers containing recycled fibers, greaseproof papers treated with fluorinated substances

Transfer of antimicrobial components (EN 1104)

No growth-inhibiting effect on microorganisms

All tissue papers

Transfer of optical brighteners (EN 648)

No migration of optical brighteners, level 4 or 5*

All tissue papers

Color fastness (EN 646)

No migration of colorants, level 4 or 5*

All tissue papers

Cyclosiloxanes D4, D5, and D6

1,000 ppm on a dry silicone basis (per substance)

Silicone-coated greaseproof papers

Biodegradability (OECD 301, 302, or 310)

Readily or inherently biodegradable

Substances used in foam inhibitors, deinking chemicals, and surfactants

Bioaccumulation (OECD 305)

Bioconcentration factor (BCF) < 500

Biocides and slimicides used in paper production

* Level 5 for papers intended for food contact

Additional testing may be required to show that paper intended for food contact complies with applicable legislation and industry guidelines, such as the Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and German BfR’s recommendations (XXXVI or XXXVI/2, depending on paper type).

Sanitary products

The sanitary product category covers diapers, feminine hygiene products, cotton wool and buds, surgical masks, and other disposable products for absorbing or providing protection against bodily fluids.4 Some of the key testing requirements are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Nordic Swan Ecolabel testing requirements for sanitary products

Parameter/test

Criteria/maximum concentration

Applicable products and materials

Polybrominated biphenyls, diphenyl ethers, phthalates, organotin compounds, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium VI

100 ppm as impurities

Additional components and primary packaging containing recycled plastic

Transfer of antimicrobial components (EN 1104)

No growth-inhibiting effect on microorganisms

Cellulose pulp, paper, cardboard

Aerobic microorganisms

1,000 per gram

Tampons

Free formaldehyde content (EN 16000-10 or equivalent)

10 ppm

Hardened adhesives

Cyclosiloxanes D4, D5, and D6

800 ppm 

Cured silicone

Residual monomers

1,000 ppm of unreacted acrylic acid and crosslinkers

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP)

Water-soluble extracts

10% w/w

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP)

Metal impurities (Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Ag, Sn, Zn)

4–1,500 ppm, depending on the substance

Paper colorants

Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cr VI, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se)

0.01–2 ppm, depending on the substance

Polyurethane foam

Phthalates/plasticizers (DINP, DNOP, DEHP, DIDP, BBP, DBP)

0.01% w/w (sum)

Polyurethane foam

Primary aromatic amines (TDA and MDA)

5 ppm per substance

Polyurethane foam

Organotin compounds (TBT, DBT, MBT, TeBT, MOT, DOT, TcyT, TPhT)

500 ppb (sum), 50 ppb for TBT, 100 ppb for DBT and MBT

Polyurethane foam

Additional tests may be required to demonstrate compliance with performance criteria, for example, regarding absorption capacity.

Paints and varnishes

Paints and varnishes are an example of a product category where certain hazardous chemicals cannot be completely avoided for technical reasons. However, to qualify for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, their concentrations must typically be lower than the legal maximum. VOC content limits are a good example, as the Nordic Swan criteria are considerably stricter than maximum levels specified in the EU Paints Directive.5

Table 3: Nordic Swan Ecolabel testing requirements for paints and varnishes

Parameter (test method/standard)

Criteria

Applicable products and materials

Isothiazolinone content (HPLC)

Max. 100 ppm to 1,500 ppm, depending on product type*

Paints and varnishes (final product)

Total preservative content (HPLC)

Max. 200 ppm to 5,000 ppm, depending on product type*

Paints and varnishes (final product)

Formaldehyde emissions (EN 16516)

≤ 0.06 mg/m3 after 28 days

Indoor paints and varnishes

Formaldehyde content (HPLC)

≤ 25 mg/kg

All paints and varnishes (final product)

VOC emissions (EN 16516, EN 16402, or equivalent)

≤ 0.001 mg/m3 to carcinogenic VOCs, ≤ 0.3 mg/m3 for total VOCs

Indoor paints and varnishes

VOC and SVOC content (ISO 11890-2)

≤ 10–80 g/L for VOCs and ≤ 30–60 g/L for SVOCs, depending on the product

Ready-to-use paints and varnishes

Wet scrub resistance (EN 13300 and EN ISO 11998)

Class 1 or class 2

Paints with claims about wet scrub resistance

Anti-corrosion protection (ISO 12944-6 or ISO 12944-9)

Depends on corrosivity category**

Anti-corrosion paints

* Lower limits apply to anti-corrosion paints and indoor paints and varnishes, and higher limits to outdoor and industrial paints.

** See Requirement O33 of the criteria document for paints and varnishes for details.

Additional performance tests and criteria for passing them are described in section 1.4 of the criteria document. The requirements vary by product type, for example, with resistance to weathering and fungal growth expected from outdoor paints, and adhesion from primers.

Chemical building products

Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s chemical building product category covers adhesives, sealants, fillers, impregnating agents for tiles and concrete, mortars, plasters, and other liquid or non-hardened construction products for both indoor and outdoor use.6 Similar to paints and varnishes, some chemicals with a hazard classification are typically present in such products, but concentrations must be kept to a minimum.

Table 4: Nordic Swan Ecolabel testing requirements for chemical building products

Parameter (test method/standard)

Compliance criteria

Applicable products and materials

Methanol content

≤ 0.1%

Sealants and adhesives containing methanol

Isothiazolinone content (HPLC)

Max. 300 ppm to 500 ppm, depending on product type

Adhesives, sealants, fillers, and impregnating agents (final product)

Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (HPLC)

≤ 100 ppm

Adhesives, sealants, fillers, and impregnating agents (final product)

Total preservative content (HPLC)

Max. 500 ppm to 700 ppm, depending on product type

Adhesives, sealants, fillers, and impregnating agents (final product)

Formaldehyde content (HPLC)

≤ 25 mg/kg

Fillers, adhesives, sealants (final product)

Formaldehyde emissions (EN 16516)

≤ 0.06 mg/m3 after 28 days

Indoor fillers, adhesives, and sealants 

VOC emissions (EN 16516, EN 16402, or equivalent)

≤ 0.001 mg/m3 to carcinogenic VOCs, ≤ 0.06 mg/m3 for total VOCs

Indoor adhesives, sealants, fillers, impregnating agents, plasters, and mortars

Additional quality tests are described under requirements O18 (adhesives), O22 (sealants), O26 (fillers), and O30 (impregnating agents).

Other construction products

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel can be granted to several additional categories of construction products and building materials, including wood for outdoor use, exterior panels and cladding, floor coverings, interior panels, windows, and doors.7 Some of the key testing requirements that apply to these products include the following: 

  • Halogenated (incl. brominated and chlorinated) flame retardants in recycled composites, mineral wool, and recycled fibers for floor coverings

  • Phthalates and PAH compounds in recycled plastic, rubber, mineral wool, composites, and fibers

  • 1,3-butadiene and nitrosamines in rubber and latex

  • Asbestos in recycled mineral wool

  • Furfuryl alcohol and acetic acid anhydride content in durable wood products

  • Chlorophenols, selected PFAS compounds, and organic fluorine in recycled fibers

  • Heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium IV, arsenic) in multiple product types, with testing most often required for recycled materials

  • Formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels (EN 717-1) and VOC emissions from several types of construction materials (EN 16516)

Products must also comply with the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and thus meet performance requirements specified in the applicable harmonized standard or European Assessment Document. Additionally, dust (inhalable and respirable fractions) and chemical emissions to indoor air may need to be monitored to ensure safe limits for workplace exposure are not exceeded during production.

Your partner for product testing related to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel

Measurlabs offers a wide range of testing services to show that products comply with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s performance and chemical composition criteria. Tests are performed at our ISO 17025-certified and GLP-approved partner laboratories to ensure that result quality meets the labeling organization’s expectations. Tell us about your testing needs using the form below, and one of our experts will get back to you in one business day.

References:

1 Directive (EU) 2024/825 as regards empowering consumers for the green transition states that products compliant with national or regional ISO 14024 type I ecolabeling schemes have “recognised excellent environmental performance”.

2 United States Environmental Protection Agency: EPA Releases Final Updates to Recommendations to Help Buyers Find Sustainable Products

3 See basic and chemical modules, and modules for grease-proof paper, copy and printing paper, and tissue paper.

4 See criteria for sanitary products. Basic and chemical modules for paper also apply.

5 See criteria for paints and varnishes and Directive 2004/42/EC, Annex II.

6 See criteria for chemical building products.

7 Criteria for durable wood, exterior panels and cladding, floor coverings, interior panels and mouldings, and windows and external doors.

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