1. PRIMES Labels in the New EU Procurement Directive
Presented by

2. Overview What are labels? Legal framework of the 2014/24/EU Directive?
Different type of environmental labels
public, multi criteria ecolabels
Single-issue labels
Private labels
Further references
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3. What are labels and the label requirement?
means any document, certificate or attestation confirming that the works, products, services, processes or procedures in question meet certain requirements
Label requirements
means the requirements to be met by the works, products, services, processes or procedures in question in order to obtain the label concerned
Note to the slide:
For the definition of labels and label requirement please see the 2014/24/EU Directive Article 2 – Definitions.

4. Labels in the Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (1)
Article 43.
Where contracting authorities (CAs) intend to purchase works, supplies or services with specific environmental, social or other characteristics they may require a specific label as means of proof that the works, services or supplies correspond to the required characteristics.
The Contracting Authorities may require labels:
in the technical specifications
in the award criteria
In the contract performance conditions
Note to the slide:
Article 43. provides and explicit recognition of labels and encourage public authorities to use them, although it is not obligatory to use labels.

5. Labels in the Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (2)
The following conditions have to be fulfilled in order to require a specific label:
the label requirements only concern criteria which are linked to the subject-matter of the contract and are appropriate to define characteristics of the works, supplies or services that are the subject-matter of the contract
the label requirements are based on objectively verifiable and non-discriminatory criteria
the labels are established in an open and transparent procedure
the labels are accessible to all interested parties
the label requirements are set by a third party over which the economic operator applying for the label cannot exercise a decisive influence
Note to the slide:
In case a label fulfils the conditions provided in points (b), (c), (d) and (e) of paragraph 1 but also sets out requirements not linked to the subject-matter of the contract, contracting authorities shall not require the label as such but may define the technical specification by reference to those of the detailed specifications of that label.
NB: References to labels should NOT have effect of restricting the innovation.
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6. Labels in the Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (3)
Contracting authorities requiring a specific label have to accept all labels that confirm that the works, supplies or services meet equivalent label requirements
In case an economic operator demonstrates that it has no possibility to obtain the specific label indicated by the contracting authority or an equivalent label within the relevant time limits, for reasons that are not attributable to him, than the Contracting Authority has to accept other appropriate means of proof that provides that the economic operator proves that work, services, supplies to be provided by it fulfill the requirements of the specific label or the specific requirements indicated by the public authority.
Note to the slide:
Article 43. of the Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement
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7. Different types of environmental labels (1)
Examples: the EU Ecolabel, The Nordic Swan, The Blue Angel, NF Environment, Milieukeur, AENOR etc.
Public, multi-criteria ecolabels (Type I. ISO14024)
Examples: EU Organic label, Energy Star label etc.
Public, single-issue labels
Examples: labels of FSC, PEFC, IFOAM etc.
Private Labels
Note to the slide:
Above list is cited from the GPP Training Toolkit: Module 1 – Managing GPP Implementation
Factsheet – GPP and the European Ecolabel:
The European Ecolabel:
The Nordic Swan, Scandinavia:
The Blue Angel (Blauer Engel), Germany:
Umweltzeichen, Austria:
NF Environment, France:
Milieukeur, the Netherlands:
AENOR, Spain:
A list of further ecolabelling schemes can also be obtained at the web site of theGlobal Eco-labelling Network (GEN)
For the Private labels please see:

8. Different types of environmental labels (2)
Public, multi-criteria ecolabels
Most commonly used in green procurements
Labels based on pass/fail criteria
For each product group different criteria set has been established
Public, single-issue labels
Related to one particular environmental issue i.e. energy use
There are 2 different types of single-issue labels:
One is based on pass/fail criteria i.e. energy efficiency
2nd type is grading products/services according to their environmental performance i.e. EU Energy label
Private labels
Run by different stakeholders
Important issue is that how accessible they are
Note to the slide:
Reference to the:
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9. Using labels during the tender procedure
Labels in tender specifications:
Defining the characteristics of the purchased goods and services
Checking compliance with these requirements by accepting the label as proof that it to complies with the tender specifications
Labels in the award stage (the same rules apply to use the label as in the other stage of the tender procedure):
Labels and other forms of third-party evidence are helping to assess how the tender performs against the award criteria, besides to verify the claims of the bidder
For further information on labels, on their usages and for further practical examples please see the revised Buying Green Guide:

10. List of references Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement
Directive 2014/25/EU on procurement by entities
operating in the water, energy, transport, and postal services sector
Factsheet – Ecolabels, GPP Training Toolkit Module 1.–
European Commission by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability,
4. ISO relevant website: .htm?ICS1=13&ICS2=020&ICS3=50
5. GPP website:
6. Energy labeling legislation on household applications: elling_measures.pdf
7. DG Energy website: efficiency/energy-efficient-products
8. EU Ecolabel: scheme.html
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