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Care products for vehicles 013

Products that have a cleaning effect and / or polishing function for the care of cars, buses, trucks, boats, ships, trains and other rail transport vehicles can be Nordic Swan Ecolabelled.

The requirements include:

  • Environmental properties (ecotoxicity and biodegradability) of the chemicals used in the products.
  • Health properties of the chemicals used in the products. For example, no use of CMR-classified substances and various particularly problematic substances such as SVHC substances and endocrine disruptors.
  • Efficiency tests
  • Limitation of the content of volatile organic compounds that can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone
  • Recyclable design of the packaging
  • Increased use of sustainable renewable raw materials

Below you will find all the necessary documents and background information to apply for the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

    1. Start your application process by reading the criteria document and find out if your product can obtain the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. 
    2. Read your Application Guide.
    3. Request login credentials.
    4. Now you are ready to enter the Nordic Ecolabelling Portal.

     

    Portal sign in                               Get login credentials

     

    Should you wish to transfer your licence, please use this form. 

  • Fees valid from 1 January 2025

    Type of fee

    Amount
    Application fee including one on-site inspection within the Nordic region *)

    3 348 EUR + VAT, however not less than 836 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe

    Renewal fee*

    1 673 EUR + VAT, however not less than 418 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe

    More than one inspection visit within the Nordic region**

    557 EUR + VAT per visit

    Inspection visits in Europe**

    1 673 EUR + VAT per visit

    Inspection visits outside Europe**

    2 790 EUR + VAT per visit

    Extension of existing licence***

    Extension of existing or changes in licence

    < 4 hours: 418 EUR + VAT
    < 8 hours: 836 EUR + VAT
    ≥ 8 hours: 1 673 EUR + VAT

    If the extension includes new formulations/recipes, prices are the same as those applicable to amendments to an existing licence, however not less than 836 EUR + VAT per formulations/recipe.

    Annual licence fee: The annual licence fee for the Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products is based on their turnover in the Nordic countries.

    		 0.3% of turnover + VAT from 0 – 30.9 million EUR 
    0.05% of turnover + VAT > 30.9 million EUR

    Minimum fee for Nordic region

    2 232 EUR + VAT per year

    Maximum fee for Nordic region

    No maximum fee

    Fees for sale outside the Nordic region          
    (Only if revenue > 309 000 EUR per year)

    2 232 EUR + VAT per year

    * When both the applicant and the manufacturer are micro-enterprises, the fee is reduced by 50%. A micro-enterprise is in this context defined as an enterprise with less than 10 employees and an annual turnover (of both ecolabelled and not ecolabelled products) below 2 million EUR.

    ** Where audits requires more than one day away from the office including travelling, Nordic Ecolabelling can invoice an additional fee of 1 083 EUR per extra day. Other extraordinary costs induced by the audit can also be invoiced the applicant.

    *** As for an extension of or amendments to a licence, time consumed in connection with the review process will be invoiced according to the extent of the required task. We make a distinction between entirely administrative tasks that last less than 1 hour, and all other tasks that last between 1 and 4 hours, between 4 and 8 hours and more than 8 hours.

    The recipient is liable for the VAT according to article 56 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
    All information given on this site is subject to a disclaimer for errors and omissions.

     

    Fees valid from 1 January 2024

    Type of fee

    Amount
    Application fee including one on-site inspection within the Nordic region *)

    3 251 EUR + VAT, however not less than 778 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe

    Renewal fee*

    1 625 EUR + VAT, however not less than 389 EUR + VAT per formulation/recipe

    More than one inspection visit within the Nordic region**

    541 EUR + VAT per visit

    Inspection visits in Europe**

    1 625 EUR + VAT per visit

    Inspection visits outside Europe**

    2 709 EUR + VAT per visit

    Extension of existing licence***

    Extension of existing or changes in licence

    < 4 hours: 406 EUR + VAT
    < 8 hours: 812 EUR + VAT
    ≥ 8 hours: 1 625 EUR + VAT

    If the extension includes new formulations/recipes, prices are the same as those applicable to amendments to an existing licence, however not less than 812 EUR + VAT per formulations/recipe.

    Annual licence fee: The annual licence fee for the Nordic Swan Ecolabelled products is based on their turnover in the Nordic countries.

    		 0.3% of turnover + VAT from 0 – 30 million EUR 
    0.05% of turnover + VAT > 30 million EUR

    Minimum fee for Nordic region

    2 167 EUR + VAT per year

    Maximum fee for Nordic region

    No maximum fee

    Fees for sale outside the Nordic region          
    (Only if revenue > 300 000 EUR per year)

    2 167 EUR + VAT per year

    * When both the applicant and the manufacturer are micro-enterprises, the fee is reduced by 50%. A micro-enterprise is in this context defined as an enterprise with less than 10 employees and an annual turnover (of both ecolabelled and not ecolabelled products) below 2 million EUR.

    ** Where audits requires more than one day away from the office including travelling, Nordic Ecolabelling can invoice an additional fee of 1 083 EUR per extra day. Other extraordinary costs induced by the audit can also be invoiced the applicant.

    *** As for an extension of or amendments to a licence, time consumed in connection with the review process will be invoiced according to the extent of the required task. We make a distinction between entirely administrative tasks that last less than 1 hour, and all other tasks that last between 1 and 4 hours, between 4 and 8 hours and more than 8 hours.

    The recipient is liable for the VAT according to article 56 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
    All information given on this site is subject to a disclaimer for errors and omissions.

     

  • In the criteria document, you can read about how to document and verify compliance for each requirement. You can also find other application documents here.

  • Information on the latest version of the criteria for care products for vehicles

    6.16 ⇛ 6.17: Adjustment of criteria

    On 13 August 2024, Nordic Ecolabelling decided to allow the IFS standard Household and Personal Care as an alternative to ISO 9001 (Appendix 4). The new version is called 6.17.

    6.15 ⇛ 6.16: Adjustment of criteria

    Due to the update of CLP, products classified H314, if the classification depends on pH, no longer need to be categorized according to 1A, 1B and 1C. Therefore, Nordic Ecolabelling decided on 13 August 2024 to adapt requirement O4 based on this. The new version is called 6.16.

    6.14 ⇛ 6.15: Adjustment of criteria

    Nordic Ecolabelling decided on 19 December 2023 that ethanol produced from waste can also be included in windscreen washer fluid.

    The new version is called 6.15.

    6.13 ⇛ 6.14: Adjustment and prolongation of criteria

    Nordic Ecolabelling decided on 14 November 2023 to extend the validity period for the criteria until 30 June 2027. At the same time, the product group definition was adjusted, which means that products for washing planes are also included. In addition, the transition period for label requirements ("O16 - B Labels for rigid plastic packaging: Design for recycling") has been extended to 31 December 2024.

    The new version is called 6.14.

    6.12 ⇛ 6.13: Adjustment of criteria

    On February 21, 2023, Nordic Ecolabelling decided to lower the proportion of ethanol produced from a residual product according to the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 to 10% for concentrated washer fluid (O14).

    The new version is called 6.13 and is valid to June 30, 2025.

    6.11 ⇛ 6.12: Adjustment of criteria

    On November 1, 2022, Nordic Ecolabelling decided to increase the maximum percentage of EVOH in flexible plastic bags from 2% to 5% in requirement O17.

    The new version is called 6.12 and is valid to June 30, 2025.

    6.10 ⇛ 6.11: Adjustment of criteria

    The adjustment consists of an exception regarding microplastics in film-forming products (wax and draining agents) and an exception for EPE in seals. Furthermore there are changes in the requirements on labels (O16B). 

    Appendix 2 and 9 are affected. 

    The new version is called 6.11 and is valid to June 30, 2025.

    6.9 ⇛ 6.10: Adjustment of criteria

    The adjustment concerns ethanol produced from sugar cane certified according to Bonsucro standard (EU REDII approved), version 5.1 or later version, which are now allowed.

    The new version is called 6.10 and is valid to June 30, 2025.

    6.8 ⇛ 6.9: Adjustment of criteria

    During spring 2022 Nordic Ecolabelling decided to adjust requirements by exempting H411 classified surfactants in requirement O12; the ban on metal in certain technical parts in spray bottles in requirement O16 was exempted; and finally, it was decided to include products for motorocycles, bicycles and equvivalent in the product group definition. Appendices 1-3, 6 and 9 are affected.

    The new version is called 6.9.

    6.7 ⇛ 6.8: Adjustment of criteria

    The adjustment applies to bronopol and hydrocarbons, annex 2 and 3 are affected.
    The new version is called 6.8.

    6.6 ⇛ 6.7: Adjustment of criteria

    In requirement O6, iminodisuccinate as well as rosinic acid and unsaponifiable substances in tall oil have been added to the list of compounds that are exempt from the degradability requirement.
    The new version is called 6.7.

    6.5 ⇛ 6.6: Adjustment of criteria

    Adjustments regarding the following requirements have been made:

    • O7 regarding solvents in cold degreasing products.

    • O16 regarding which types of plastic are allowed in the trigger for the spray bottle.

    The new version is called 6.6.

    6.4 ⇛ 6.5: Adjustment of criteria

    Adjustments in requirement O20 have been made:

    • Pigments that are added to UV blockers and that do not make up more than 10 ppm of the packaging (without closure) are exempted from the ban on pigments in PET.

    • Lubricant in spray bottle triggers is exempt from the ban on silicone in closures. 

    The new version is called 6.5.

    6.3 ⇛ 6.4: Adjustment of criteria

    Adjustments regarding the following requirements have been made:

    • O16 only applies to plastic packaging for less than 200 liters.

    • O18b only applies to spray products for interior cleaning.

    • O20 has been adjusted so that the efficiency of rinse aid, rinsing wax and combi wax that are part of a system together with other Nordic Swan Ecolabelled cleaning or that polishing products can also be documented with a function test.

    The new version is called 6.4.

    6.2 ⇛ 6.3: Adjustment of criteria

    Requirement O4 Classification of the product has been adjusted for products for professional use that can now be classified with H314 Skin Corr. 1B or 1C. Requirement O19 User information has been corrected so the word "concentrated" has been removed. The new version is called 6.3.

    6.1 ⇛ 6.2: Adjustment of criteria

    Requirement O7 Substances that may not be included in the product has been adjusted as the REACH list is no longer included in the requirement. The new version is called 6.2.

    6.0 ⇛ 6.1: Adjustment of criteria

    Requirement O16 Recycling design of plastic packaging and closures has been adjusted for wafers and seals. The new version, 6.1, is valid until on June 30, 2025.

    6.0: New generation published 

    The Nordic Ecolabelling Board has decided on a new generation where the product group has been expanded to also include train care products. The new generation 6 is valid until on June 30, 2025.

    5.12 ⇛ 5.13: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The validity of the criteria has been prolonged with 3 months. The new version, 5.13, is valid until 31 December 2022.

    5.11 ⇛ 5.12: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The validity of the criteria has been prolonged with 6 months. The new version, 5.12, is valid until 30 September 2022.

    5.10 ⇛ 5.11: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The validity of the criteria has been prolonged with 6 months. The new version, 5.11, is valid until 31 March 2022.

    5.9 ⇛ 5.10: Prolongation of the validity of the criteria

    The validity of the criteria has been prolonged with 9 months. The new version, 5.10, is valid until 30 September 2021.

    5.8 ⇛ 5.9: Alteration and prolongation of criteria

    Appendix 9 has been altered and the criteria prolonged with 12 months. The new version, 5.9, is valid until December 31st, 2020.

    5.7 ⇛ 5.8: Alteration of criteria

    O35 Take-back system: The requirement has been removed.
    O9 Organic substances, degradability: The requirement has been adjusted.
    The new version, 5.8, is valid until December 31st, 2019.

    5.6 ⇛ 5.7: Extension of criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged with 12 months. The new versionm, 5.7, is valid until December 31st 2019.

    5.5 ⇛ 5.6: Extension of criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged. The new version, 5.6, is valid until December 31st 2018.

    5.4 ⇛ 5.5: Extension of criteria's validity:

    The criteria's validity has been prolonged. Also, requrement R36 has been removed. The new version, 5.5, is valid until December 31st 2016.

    5.3 ⇛ 5.4: Alteration of criteria

    R3: Professional car care products used in closed/automatic wash installations are exempted from classification Skin korr. 1A: H314 / R35 (Causes severe burns) if the classification is due to pH. Boat care products are not exempted from this classification.

  • In the background document below you will find reasoning and facts behind the specific requirements in the criteria document.

    Here you can also read the comments, requirement for requirement, from the public hearing.

    If the documents are in a Nordic language, you can get help in understanding the sections you need by contacting the product specialist in your chosen country below.