Welcome to the „Green World “ of the Austrian Ecolabel

Natural beauty in the garden: environmentally friendly garden furniture

Spring is coming! And with it comes the time when we particularly enjoy being outside again. The green garden oasis can be embellished with attractive garden furniture that invites you to linger. If you want to think about the environment as well as your own comfort, make a conscious decision in favour of sustainable garden furniture that ensures an environmentally friendly outdoor feel-good experience. So how can the outdoor area be furnished sustainably?

Ready sieved compost

Black gold: composting correctly

Before the beds can be planted in spring, the waste collection point from last year must first be moved and the windrow from the year before last can finally be sieved to obtain fresh compost - the black gold of the garden.

The new school bags from schneiders.

Win an eco-friendly school bag set

The new school bag should be "cool" and sustainable. With a little luck, you can win an environmentally friendly school bag set in the competition organised by the "Clever shopping for school" initiative.

Blooming apricot tree (Copyright: Umweltzeichen)

Review: Green Loans and the new requirements in UZ49

The Austrian Ecolabel for sustainable financial products has been the standard for sustainable financial products in Austria since 2004. The Ecolabel thus provides guidance for (sustainable) investors. 

The Ecolabel at WeFair

For the second time, WeFair will take place from 12-14 April in Vienna's Marx Halle. Get information and win with the Austrian Ecolabel at the WeFair.

Two people cycling. Copyright by Österreich radelt/Martin Mathes.

Cycling together for the environment - every bike ride counts!

The successful motivation and awareness-raising campaign "Austria is cycling" will start a new main season from 20 March to 30 September 2023. Many municipalities, businesses, clubs and schools throughout Austria are already on board as organisers, because cycling is known to make people fit and happy. In addition, they are also committed to climate protection.

KInder bei Schuleinkauf im Geschäft

Austrian Ecolabel award Weissensee (Copyright: BMK)

22 Carinthian Companies awarded with the Austrian Ecolabel at Lake Weissensee

On February 9, 2024, 22 sustainably managed companies were awarded the Austrian Ecolabel by Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler at the Weißensee Haus in Techendorf at Lake Weißensee, Carinthia.

Filmstudio. Copyright by Foto von Brands&People auf Unsplash

Filming with responsibility: costumes and sustainability

The production of films and other audiovisual works for cinemas and television is associated with a high consumption of resources and therefore has a negative impact on our environment. In view of the climate crisis, the film industry is also called upon to act more sustainably. In recent years, this realisation has led to a growing movement within the industry.

Eco-friendly costumes in the theatre - a look behind the scenes

As a pressing issue of our time, the climate crisis has long since found its way onto the stage and has been increasingly in the spotlight in contemporary theatre productions for years. As places of cultural education, theatres offer space to sensitise people to social issues and challenges and to encourage sustainable action and thinking. However, it is not enough to simply address the topic in terms of content.

UZ-certified folders (Copyright by Erich Götzinger Werbegmbh)

Sustainability in office purchasing

Many retailers of office supplies publish new product catalogs at the beginning of the year. New products with the Austrian Ecolabel and the UmweltTipp! environmental tip, which highlights particularly environmentally friendly products, are also presented in the reference works.

Modern living room with wooden floor, seating and a view of a tree. Copyright by Susanne Stark.

Updated Ecolabel guidelines for building products

In times of growing environmental awareness and increased commitment to sustainability, the selection of environmentally friendly building materials is of the utmost importance. In this context, the Austrian Ecolabel for construction products is a decisive orientation aid and becomes the basis for sustainable procurement programmes of the federal government (naBe) and the provinces of Vienna, Lower Austria and Vorarlberg.

Ski-mobility in Seefeld_-Skibus at Seefeld railway station. Copyright by Region Seefeld

Railway clear to the wintry mountains

Our eco-labelled tourism region of Seefeld in Tyrol shows that winter holidays don't have to mean traffic jams and the smell of exhaust fumes or fitting snow chains and laboriously scraping off windscreens, but can also be comfortable and climate-friendly. Be inspired and get ideas for your stress-free winter holiday.

From Vienna: Winter excursion destinations with the ecolabel

Even in the cold season, there are a number of eco-labelled excursion destinations that can be reached relatively quickly from Vienna. These include recommended indoor and outdoor destinations. Depending on the weather, you can decide whether you prefer to stay indoors or outdoors.

Great Mountain view. Copyright by Saalfelden Leogang Touristik, Fotograf: Michael Geißler

A winter holiday full of contrasts in Saalfelden Leogang

Saalfelden Leogang is one of the three tourism destinations that have been certified with the Austrian Ecolabel in 2023. This destination is characterised by a wide variety of tourist offers - even in winter! It advertises itself as the "most contrasting region in the Alps".

Sustainable financial products: new version of the guidelines

On 13 December 2023, the new version of the Austrian Ecolabel guidelines for sustainable financial products (UZ 49) was adopted by the Ecolabel Advisory Board. The biggest change: from now on, sustainable loans (green loans) can also be certified.

Green Events Austria and nabe symposium. Copyright by Anja Grundböck.

Green events for Austria - the administration as a pioneer

At the naBe & Green Events Austria symposium, 120 event experts from all over Austria from both the administrative sector and the industry met at the Ankersaal in the Kulturhaus Brotfabrik in Vienna. The event was certified as a Green Event with the Austrian Ecolabel.

Environmental Management Award. Copyright by BMK.

Top performance with the Austrian Ecolabel

Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler was also able to present this year's Environmental Management Award to three companies that are certified with the Austrian Ecolabel and scored with their outstanding achievements: Druckerei Janetschek from Heidenreichstein in the Waldviertel, BKS Bank from Klagenfurt and Henriette Stadthotel Vienna.

Minister Leonore Gewessler (left) with Verena Judmayer and Anelia Dermendzhieva (right) from Circularful GmbH. Copyright by Pepo Schuster, austrofocus.at

MATR: Mattresses out of bed and back into circulation

The Viennese start-up MATR offers a digital and environmentally friendly mattress management solution for hotels. The multi-award-winning company is designed according to the principles of the circular economy and stands for a sustainable sleeping experience.

Shelf with school supplies. Copyright by BMK_Viktoria_Miess

Clever einkaufen - a success story

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of "UmweltTipp!" we asked the expert Jutta Kellner about the initiative "Clever shopping for school" about the developments.

Klatschmohn

Protecting biodiversity - what can the financial sector do?


According to the World Economic Forum (Global Risk Report 2023), the loss of biodiversity is one of the four greatest risks facing the world's population over the next 10 years, alongside a lack of climate protection and climate change adaptation as well as severe weather disasters. Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life, whether animal or plant. In order to preserve this, it is necessary to protect and maintain the various habitats.

Sports hall from the inside. Copyright by Thomas Belazzi.

Ecolabelled building products guarantee added value

It is not only particularly important for school buildings that tested ("healthy") building materials are used in their construction and interior design. Building products with the Austrian Ecolabel guarantee health and well-being. Dr Thomas Belazzi pays particular attention to both. He is a recognised expert in ecological building and managing director of bauXund forschung und beratung gmbh in Vienna (www.bauxund.at).

Room with wooden floor. Copyright by Scheucher.

A strong Ecolabel for Scheucher Holzindustrie GmbH

The Austrian company Scheucher Holzindustrie GmbH has held the EU Ecolabel for wooden floors since March 2023. This makes the company the first parquet manufacturer in Europe to be authorised to use this cross-border Ecolabel. It guarantees the environmental friendliness, durability and high quality of the labelled products. Read more about this here.

Skyscrapers under construction with construction cranes. Copyright by C Dustin on Unsplash.

Federal building criteria apply the Austrian Ecolabel

In Austria, the federal government spends almost 1.3 billion euros a year on building construction projects. The money flows into the refurbishment, new construction, repair and maintenance of schools, hospitals, prisons and other public buildings. The construction-relevant guidelines of the Austrian Ecolabel play an important role here!

"Energy Saving" Project. Copyright by HTL Mödling

HTL Mödling as climate champion

HTL Mödling is the largest school in Austria, has been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel and has been able to reduce energy costs by a remarkable 40 percent by switching to district heating and other measures.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg. Copyright by VKI.

Austrian Ecolabel in the EU Parliament

The Austrian Ecolabel made a strong presentation at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg from 16 to 18 October 2023. Together with the Blue Angel from Germany, the Nordic Swan from the Scandinavian countries and the Dutch Milieukeur, the importance of national quality labels was pointed out to the EU parliamentarians. The motto of the exhibition in the busy area in front of the canteen of the EU Parliament: Together we are strong.

World Ecolabel Day: Into the future with credible labels

On the occasion of World Ecolabel Day on 12 October 2023, which celebrates quality labels worldwide, the Austrian Ecolabel hosted a seminar in Brussels. During a seminar, EU parliamentarians and their assistants were informed about the credibility of governmental quality labels - and pointed out future challenges. The seminar is part of a series of events - after the seminar in Brussels, there will be a fair at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to illustrate the variety of certified products for EU parliamentarians.

Pernauer. Copyright by Pernauer.

Pernauer - Combining resource conservation and cleaning performance

Pernauer produces many of the bigood products sold by a large Austrian drugstore chain. But other household cleaners or detergents are also produced by Pernauer and carry the Austrian Ecolabel.

Company headquarters in Zirl, Tyrol. Copyright by Hollu.

Hollu - ecological cleaning made in Austria

Cleaning companies in Austria focus on environmentally friendly cleaning agents and cleaning products. Outstanding among them is the Tyrolean GmbH hollu, which has been in existence since 1905. At that time, the founder Julius Holluschek laid the foundation stone of the hygiene specialist's production.

various cosmetic articles. Copyright by Austrian Ecolabel.

New labelling obligation for fragrances

The EU Commission recently published a regulation that will improve transparency about fragrance allergens in cosmetics.

Desinfection. Copyright by Marion Jaros

Disinfection - when and where is it useful?

Read in the interview with biotechnologist Marion Jaros from the Vienna Environmental Ombudsman's Office what is important for the safe and economical use of disinfectants.

Exhibition Blitzblank. Copyright by FMH_Angela Lamprecht.

Museum & Sustainability - the Women's Museum Hittisau shows how it works

On Austrian Museum Day 2023, a visit to the ecologically important exhibition BLITZBLANK! Cleaning - inside, outside, everywhere in the Women's Museum in Hittisau.

On the way to school. Copyright by AEA_Andrea Leindl.

Competition "energie:bewusst unterwegs"

The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research is starting the school year 2023/24 with the Austria-wide competition "energie:bewusst unterwegs" to bring the topic of energy saving in the area of mobility to the fore in schools.

UZ 49 Webinar "Transparency"

UZ 49 Webinar "Transparency and how it can help prevent greenwashing".

EU disclosure and transparency standards should combat "green-washing". Transparency criteria should help investors to make informed investment decisions.

Bloggers in Seefeld before Berg. Copyright by Elena Paschinger.

Exploring the Austrian Ecolabel destination Seefeld

In June 2023, the Seefeld region in Tyrol, together with Wagrain-Kleinarl in Salzburg, became the first destinations in Austria to be awarded the Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations. Read here how travel bloggers experienced the region.

Austrian Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel awarded to 27 tourism businesses in Salonplafonds. Copyright by Enzo Holey.

First tourism destinations Seefeld and Wagrain-Kleinarl as well as 27 tourism businesses receive awards

Together, Austria's tourism industry is sending a strong signal for sustainability and future security: 27 companies from tourism and gastronomy received the Austrian Ecolabel from Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and Tourism State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler at a festive award ceremony on 6 September. 13 of the award-winning companies also received the European equivalent, the EU Ecolabel. For the first time, 2 tourism regions were certified in addition to companies.

Art and culture businesses with the Austrian Ecolabel. Copyright by Weinwurm Fotografie.

28 cultural and event enterprises newly awarded the Austrian Ecolabel

Austria's cultural landscape is once again enriched by several resource-saving and environmentally conscious businesses: On 5 September, 28 cultural and event businesses were honoured. For the first time, institutions from the theatre and cinema sector were also included. Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and State Secretary for the Arts and Culture Andrea Mayer presented the awards at the Haydn Cinema in Vienna.

Bloggers in Seefeld before Berg. Copyright by Elena Paschinger.

Exploring the Austrian Ecolabel destination Seefeld

In June 2023, the Seefeld region in Tyrol, together with Wagrain-Kleinarl in Salzburg, became the first destinations in Austria to be awarded the Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations. Read here how travel bloggers experienced the region.

Adhesives on the shop shelf. Copyright by BMK_Viktoria_Miess

Environment and economy in harmony

Combining ecology and economy is one of the most important tasks of the next decades in order to reduce climate change and its consequences. It is essential to be able to count on the support of manufacturers and retailers.

Girl with school material. Copyright by BMK_Viktoria_Miess

Five times as many sustainable school articles

With the campaign UmweltTipp! the initiative "Clever Shopping for School" supports parents and pupils in sustainable school shopping before school starts. Since the campaign began in August 2008, the number of product recommendations for sustainable school shopping has increased almost fivefold to more than 5,700 products.

Coin collection from which a plant grows. Copyright by Unsplash/Towfiqu barbhuiya.

12% domestic fund assets in Ecolabel funds

The Financial Market Authority (FMA) has published its annual report for 2021. Encouraging: Investments according to the guidelines of the Austrian Ecolabel for Sustainable Financial Products (UZ 49) continue to increase strongly. Almost 12 percent of Austrian fund assets are invested in UZ 49 funds.

barrier-free nature discovery Seebachtal. Copyright by Stabentheiner.

Unlimited outdoor pleasure

The Seebach Valley Nature Experience is now accessible for all.

Otto Fichtl on the holistic view of a business. Copyright by Alex Gretter Photography.

With certification processes to more sustainability

Under the title "The Austrian Ecolabel in Tourism - With Certification Processes to More Sustainability", the kick-off event of the new dialogue series "Sustainability in Tourism" of the Tourism Section at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economic Affairs took place on Wednesday, 28 June 2023.

View of Alpbach village. Copyright by Umweltzeichen.

Back to the future - the motto of the Austrian conference professionals

"Back to the Future" was the motto of this year's Convention 4 U, the meeting industry's conference that can be interpreted in many ways - and where better to do that than at the Congress Centrum Alpbach in the Village of Thinkers? The Austrian Ecolabel was there too!

Award for the most sustainable events 2022-23 in the green Events Austria network. Copyright by BMK_Cajetan Perwein.

Vice Chancellor and Climate Protection Minister honour sustainable green events and sports clubs

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler and Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler, together with the Green Events Austria network, honoured the 28 most sustainable festivals, cultural events, sporting events and sports clubs in Austria and awarded the eight best as competition winners.

Korb mit Umweltzeichen-Produkten

Green Claims Directive against greenwashing

The European Commission has presented a new law to combat misleading environmental claims. With it, Brussels wants to take stronger action against greenwashing.

Cover Clever Shopping 2023

Climate protection in school shopping - brochure and folder reissued

The Clever Shopping for School initiative offers the opportunity to quickly find environmentally friendly products. This gives everyone the opportunity to pay attention to climate protection when shopping at school. The best thing is to do it right away with your next purchase!

Hypo Meeting Götzis Sprint Damen

Hypomeeting Götzis goes Green

Sporting events can move a lot towards sustainability. The 48th edition of the Hypomeeting Götzis/Vorarlberg shows that this can also work for major events. It was the first major sporting event to achieve the Ecolabel for Green Events and was produced and broadcast according to the Ecolabel "Green Producing" standard.

The Environmental Centre of Raiffesenbank Gunskirchen. Copyright by Raiffeisenbank Günskirchen.

Green Banking Pioneer Gunskirchen Celebrates 125 Years

The Environmental Centre of Raiffeisenbank Gunskirchen is a true pioneer for sustainable investments and green banking. In 2023, both the 125th anniversary of Raiffeisenbank Gunskirchen and the 10th birthday of the environmental centre will be celebrated

Person vor Hecke

World Ecolabel Day

8 October is World Ecolabel Day - the international day for national Ecolabels. Independent, governmental Ecolabels are based on transparent criteria and sound third-party verification and are a credible barrier against greenwashing. What is your opinion? Support your colleagues by answering a short questionnaire.

Green Tourism Conference. Copyright by ÖHV Florian Lechner.

European Tourism Going Green - Together we make tourism in Europe more sustainable!

Austria has been a pioneer in sustainable tourism for many years, but together we can achieve much more.

This was proven by the international "Green Tourism Conference" organised by the ÖHV, at which 70 certified best practice businesses (hotels, campsites, tour operators, apartment buildings) from six countries were presented. Eleven Austrian businesses were awarded the Austrian and European Ecolabel.

Sustainable travel experiences through and through

With the Ecolabel, what belongs together comes together: The Ecolabel group continues to grow - our tour operators can also take advantage of the growing range of sustainably certified locations and hotels to put together consistently certified travel experiences. The following offers are particularly worth highlighting in the near future.

Engagement - How can investors encourage companies to be more sustainable?

In order to demonstrate the possibilities of collaborative engagement, a webinar was held on 24 April 2023 as part of the series "Green Money for Green Investments", which was organised by ÖGUT on behalf of the Ministry of Climate Protection and in cooperation with the Austrian Ecolabel team at VKI.

Auditorium 1 in the Schubert Kino Graz. Copyright by Christian Jungwirth.

Sustainable cinemas in Austria

The cultural sector is an important partner in climate protection and can benefit from common national environmental standards. Therefore, there is now also a separate Ecolabel guideline for cinema operations and already the first two licensees.

The Award 2021. Copyright by Joseph Krpelan.

Sustainability & Resilience: Systematically into the entrepreneurial future

Active environmental and climate protection are indispensable for sustainable organisations. As an Ecolabel company, submit your best measures for environmental and climate protection to the Environmental Management Award 2023!

Diagonale hall with participants. Copyright by Clara Wildberger.

Diagonale #denktweiter: Attitude is needed!

The Diagonale, the festival of Austrian film, celebrated several Green Events/Green Meetings certifications in 2023 as well as Austria's first green cinema.

high five. Copyright by iStock.

Ecolabel contributes to record in Salzburg!

"Our service is working," says Sabine Wolfsgruber, Managing Director of umwelt service salzburg, the regional support agency, about the most successful year so far: in 2022, more than 700 consultations were completed by the advisory and support agency for corporate environmental and climate protection - the highest number since the independent association was founded. There was also strong demand for Ecolabel certifications.

Microplastic - Tipps to refuse. Copyright by BMK.

Invisible but still dangerous - microplastics!

Plastics can be found in all areas of everyday life. A new brochure informs about the effects of microplastics on humans and nature and gives helpful tips on how to avoid them.

Increasing number of sustainable financial products UZ49.

200th financial product with Austrian Ecolabel

While it took fourteen years for the first hundred certified funds, the time had now come again after less than three years: the two hundredth financial product was awarded the Austrian Ecolabel. A brief analysis.

A sea of blooms. Copyright by Austrian Ecolabel.

In focus: The Ecolabel in practice - market control

Not only the strict, transparent criteria and the independently prepared expert opinion ensure that Ecolabel products also deliver what they promise. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) also tests products from all guidelines for correct use of the Austrian Ecolabel.

In focus: Guidelines in detail - Part IV - Ecolabel driving schools

While a driver's license allows us to use cars, it does not exclude so-called multimodal mobility, i.e. the use of multiple methods of getting around. The Austrian Ecolabel driving schools are thinking different ...

flowering meadow

Infothek biodiversity

What does biodiversity mean? What can everyone contribute to the protection of biodiversity? Every contribution is important!

In focus: Guidelines in detail - Part III - sustainable travelling

The guideline UZ 72 "Travel Offers" is all about designing sustainable travel offers. It was known long before it came into force in 2008 that man-made climate change is a major problem. And that is also the core of the requirements.

 

The National Library. Copyright by Austrian Ecolabel.

In focus: Guidelines in detail - Part Two - sustainable education

The guideline for tourism and leisure enterprises contains specific requirements for museums. The first mandatory criterion is: "Integration of education for sustainable development into the educational work". What`s about?

A sea of blooms. Copyright by Austrian Ecolabel.

In focus: Guidelines in detail - Part One - biodiversity

In the guideline for tourism and leisure businesses, there is a requirement in criterion UZ 200-F05 to motivate businesses to contribute to the promotion of biodiversity.