GECA Launches a New Generation of Lifecycle Ecolabel Standards

A clearer, more consistent structure that makes our standards easier to navigate while maintaining the same rigorous requirements.

At GECA, we believe sustainability standards should be rigorous, transparent and practical to use. 

That's why we're pleased to launch a new structure across our lifecycle ecolabel standards, making them clearer, more consistent and easier to navigate for manufacturers, assurance providers, procurement professionals and other stakeholders. 

Importantly, this update does not change the sustainability requirements within our standards. Instead, it improves how those requirements are organised and presented, creating a more intuitive experience while maintaining the robust, science-based criteria that underpin GECA certification. 

Why we've updated our standards

Over more than two decades, GECA has developed lifecycle ecolabel standards covering a diverse range of product and service categories. 

As our standards have evolved, so too has the opportunity to improve their structure. 

The new framework has been developed following extensive research into international best practice, analysis of leading ecolabelling schemes, stakeholder consultation and prototype testing. The objective was simple: make our standards easier to use without compromising their integrity. 

The result is a more consistent framework that supports both existing licensees and organisations seeking certification for the first time.

What's changing? 

The updated standards introduce a consistent structure and numbering system across all GECA product and service standards. 

The new framework groups requirements into logical sections, including: 

• General Standard Requirements 

• Material and Substance Safety (product standards) 

• Hazard and Accident Control (service standards) 

• Health and Social 

• Environment 

This means users can more quickly locate relevant requirements while becoming familiar with a common format that applies across the GECA standards portfolio. 

The restructuring also introduces consistent terminology and numbering, helping reduce duplication and improving alignment between the published standards and the GECA Portal. Common criteria are retained across standards, with requirements clearly identified where they are not applicable to a particular product or service category. 

What isn't changing

While the presentation has evolved, the principles behind GECA certification remain exactly the same. 

Our lifecycle ecolabel standards continue to: 

• assess products and services across environmental, human health, social and fitness-for-purpose criteria 

• consider impacts across the entire lifecycle 

• follow ISO 14024 principles for Type I ecolabelling 

• be developed through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process 

• be independently assessed by third-party Assurance Providers.

These foundations continue to underpin the credibility and integrity of GECA certification. 

Why this matters

Whether you're preparing an application, undergoing an assessment or referencing a GECA standard during procurement or product development, clarity matters. 

A consistent structure helps users spend less time navigating documents and more time understanding the requirements relevant to their products or services. 

It also creates a stronger foundation for the continued evolution of GECA's standards as sustainability expectations evolve. 

When the restructure was first proposed, GECA identified four key objectives: 

• improve consistency across all standards 

• enhance readability and comprehension 

• eliminate unnecessary duplication 

• create greater flexibility to respond to future regulatory and industry developments. 

Those objectives remain at the heart of the new framework. 

Looking ahead

The launch of the restructured standards represents an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of GECA's lifecycle ecolabelling program. 

As sustainability expectations, regulations and industry practices continue to evolve, GECA remains committed to continually reviewing and improving its standards to ensure they remain practical, credible and aligned with international best practice. 

The new structure provides a stronger foundation for future updates while continuing to support independent, transparent and rigorous certification. 

If you're an existing GECA licensee or considering certification, we encourage you to explore the new standards and contact our team with any questions about the updated format.