European System of Marking Ecological Acceptability of Textiles

Abstract

Contemporary trends in the area of marking the quality of textile products are discussed, with the emphasis on ever present requirements of proving their ecological acceptability. Special attention is paid to the European system of evaluating and marking ecological acceptability (EU eco-label award scheme). Legal background is discussed (EU documents which constitute the basis of the system), and methodology is explained - from basic principles of functioning to a digested overview of specific ecological requirements for the group of textile products and the procedure of awarding the label. Besides the advantages of launching such “environment-friendly” products in view of ensuring higher level of public health and cleaner environment, some problems are noted associated with the application of the system, especially when speaking of textile producers from so called “third countries”.