The healthcare sector wants more Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products – new opportunities for companies

Regions, hospitals and other stakeholders across the Nordic countries wanted to see a wider range of ecolabelled products. As part of the revision, product development therefore focused on expanding the number of product types that can carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

– We are seeing clear demand, so by extending the criteria to cover more product types, more manufacturers can ecolabel their products and meet demand from Nordic purchasers. In this way, ecolabelling can help deliver greater environmental benefits in the healthcare sector. We therefore hope that many manufacturers will apply for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and meet the requirements. A Nordic as well as a global market awaits them, says Lena Mårdh, Project Manager for Public Procurement at Ecolabelling Sweden, which is responsible for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel in Sweden.

Products made of plastic and silicone may contain substances that are harmful to the environment and human health, such as PFAS and phthalates, which are not permitted in Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products.

A growing number of people in the Nordic countries consider environmental toxins and other hazardous substances to be a critical environmental issue. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel provides consumers with assurance that a product has been assessed, making it easy to make the right choice for the environment. Nordic consumers trust that Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products are a good choice for the environment, and in Sweden, 99% of consumers are familiar with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.*

– Nordic Swan Ecolabelled medical devices and medicinal products in plastic and silicone meet stringent requirements that reduce their impact on the climate, environment and human health. This is particularly important because these products are used close to or inside the body. The requirements are set from a life cycle perspective, covering everything from raw materials and production to recycling, so that ecolabelling can contribute to a more circular economy, says Sofia Lindqvist, Product Adviser at Ecolabelling Sweden.

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements:

• Phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS are not permitted, and chemicals classified as environmentally hazardous, toxic or allergenic are restricted. Substances that are carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting or toxic to reproduction are prohibited.
• Stricter packaging requirements to increase the amount of material that can be recycled.
• Halogenated plastics such as PVC and natural latex are prohibited.
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*Source: Nordic Consumer Sustainability Index 2026 (Opinion)

Don't miss our webinars!

• Launch webinar with more information about the criteria on 9 September 2026. Link: https://www.svanen.se/bli-svanenmarkt/kalendarium/new-requirements-and-new-opportunities-to-nordic-swan-ecolabel-medical-products/
• Webinar on how the public sector is driving demand on 24 September 2026. Link: Procurers demand ecolabelled medical and hygiene products – are you ready and how do we do it together?