How can the Nordic Swan Ecolabel be used in CSRD?
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel's methodology for developing environmental requirements provides insights that are well suited for sustainability reporting. We set requirements from a holistic perspective and take into account climate, nature, chemicals, pollution, biodiversity, water and circular economy.
Our requirements are based on in-depth analysis. If you want to read them, you can find them in the background documents for each product group.
What information can ecolabels help with?
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a Type 1 ecolabel according to ISO 14024. The methodology of Type 1 labels means that companies that have certified their goods or services have documentation that can be used in CSRD reporting. This applies in particular to ESRS's two overarching standards, ESRS 1 – General Requirements and ESRS 2 – General Disclosures, as well as ESRS G1 – Responsible Business Conduct.
But also when it comes to ESRS for climate, chemical use and pollution, water and marine resources, biodiversity, resource use and circular economy, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel can provide valuable insights for use in CSRD reporting. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel also sets requirements that provide a basis for reporting on social standards and corporate governance, in product groups where it is particularly relevant.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel has analysed the criteria for cleaning services and how they can contribute to your reporting. Please contact your advisor for more information.
How are the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements developed?
MEKA analysis
When the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's environmental requirements are to be developed, a so-called MEKA analysis is carried out. It is an analysis that maps the environmental impact that occurs in the form of materials, energy, chemicals and other factors during the product's life cycle: From the time the raw materials are extracted from nature, until they are processed in the manufacturing and use phase, and finally taken care of or reused.
The analysis shows where in the life cycle the environmental impact is greatest and thus where it will have the best effect to take measures to reduce it.
RPS analysis
After the MEKA analysis, an evaluation is made to assess where and how the Nordic Swan Ecolabel can impose requirements on the product group in question in order to reduce the environmental impact. This is called an RPS analysis:
- First, the relevance is determined – how big is the environmental impact of the production of this product or service? This is a summary of the entire MEKA analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on energy and climate, chemical use, biodiversity, resource use and waste.
- The potential is then analysed – what opportunities are there to reduce the environmental impact? Can the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements solve one environmental challenge without exacerbating another (burden shift)? Can we set requirements that are stricter than those of the authorities?
- Finally, the governability is assessed – how the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements should be formulated to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. Is there enough data in the value chain?
ESRS standards enable companies to identify impact, risk, opportunity. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel's analysis of relevance highlights both impacts and risks. The assessment of potential and controllability provides a basis for opportunities.