The EU Commission has published on the official EU Journal the Decision (EU) 2017/176 establishing EU Ecolabel criteria for wood-, cork- and bamboo-based floor coverings (notified under document C(2017) 303). The new criteria require that any virgin wood, cork, bamboo and rattan in the finished products originates from certified sustainably managed forests. In addition, the Commission has introduced a new set of measures to ensure low energy consumption for manufacturing (as per Criterion 5 " energy consumption in the production process) . Furthermore, the new criteria drastically limit the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) content. The banning of flame retardants as well as other harmful chemicals is considered a significant achievement for consumer safety.

Copy of the Decision is available in all European official languages at the following link:http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1486024464540&uri=CELEX:32017D0176