ISO 14021, “Environmental labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling),” has just been revised. The new 2nd Edition, dated 3/15/2016, replaces the 1st Edition from 1999 and its Amendment 1 (12/15/2011). ISO has notified us that this is a minor revision. It does not alter any legally required environmental information, claims or labelling.
The ISO 14021 is used for “self-declared” environmental claims. This means that you’re going to use a label to communicate to consumers of your product. This label may include statements, symbols or graphics. Or it may be such information included in technical bulletins, advertising, and the like. Since you are communicating a specific environmental aspect of your product (or packaging for example), its essential that it will hold up to verification, etc.
For this reason, the ISO 14021 provides you with the requirements you’ll need to meet when use use specific terms like “recycled content” and “degradable.” It provides you with the correct usage information for various symbols and claims. And it provides you with information on the relationship of this standard to ISO 14020 on environmental labelling in general. Other useful features of this standard include Annex A, a simplified diagrammatic representation of a recycling system, and the comprehensive 68-item bibliography at the end of the publication.
If you use the ISO 14021 in your business, you’ll need to get a copy. Of course it is essential that you use an authorized distributor like Document Center Inc. for your purchase to verify that copyright laws are met. Search for and order all ISO standards at our webstore, www.document-center.com. And here’s a direct link to the order page for ISO 14021.
Many folks have additional questions when they are working with this type of compliance information. Here you’re in luck, for our staff has been working with standards for many years and can give you assistance with many of the issues standards users face. Feel free to contact our staff by phone at 650-591-7600 or by email at info@document-center.com. We’re your Standards Experts!
