ISO INTERNATIONAL 14021 STANDARD First edition 1999-09-15 Environmental labels and declarations Self-declared environmental claims (Type Il environmental labelling) Marquages et declarations environnementaux -- Autodeclarations environnementales (Etiquetagedetype ll) ISo Referencenumber ISO 14021:1999(E) 1SO 14021:1999(E) Contents 1 Scope. 2 Normative references 3Terms and definitions.. 4Objective ofself-declared environmental claims . 5 Requirements applying to all self-declared environmental claims.. 4 6 Evaluation and claim verification requirements .. 7 Specific requirements for selected claims. 9 Annex A (informative) Simplified diagrammatic representation of a recycling system. .19 Bibliography 20 ISO1999 Ali rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm,without permission in writing from the publisher international OrganizationforStandardization Casepostale56.CH-1211Geneve20.Switzerland internet [email protected] Printed in Switzerland i @ISO ISO14021:1999(E) Foreword ISo (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (isO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IsO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization. International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3. Draft International Standards adopted by the technical commitees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote. Subcommittee Sc 3, Environmental labelling. Annex A of this International Standard is for information only. ii ISO 14021:1999(E) @ISO Introduction The proliferation of environmental claims has created a need for environmental labelling standards which require that consideration be given to ail relevant aspects of the life cycle of the product when such claims are developed. Self-declared environmental claims may be made by manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers or anyone else likely to benefit from such claims. Environmental claims made in regard to products may take the form of statements, symbols or graphics on product or package labels, or in product literature, technical bulletins, advertising, publicity, telemarketing, as well as digital or electronic media, such as the Internet. In self-declared environmental claims, the assurance of reliability is essential. It is important that verification is properly conducted to avoid negative market effects such as trade barriers or unfair competition, which can arise from unreliable and deceptive environmental claims. The evaluation methodology used by those who make environmental claims should be clear, transparent, scientifically sound and documented so that those who purchase or may potentially purchase products can be assured of the validity of the ciaims iv ISO 14021:1999(E) INTERNATIONAL STANDARD @ISO Environmental labels and declarations Self-declared environmental claims (Type ll environmental labelling) 1 Scope This International Standard specifies requirements for self-declared environmental claims, including statements, and gives qualifications for their use. This International Standard also describes a general evaluation and verification methodology for self-declared environmental claims and specific evaluation and verification methods for the selected claimsinthisstandard 2 Normative references The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publicatio