China Environmental Labelling

1. Identify applicable product category: Review the China Environmental Labelling standards catalogue on the CECP website (cecp.org.cn) to confirm your product category is covered and identify the relevant technical standard (there are over 100 product category standards).

1. Review the technical standard: Download and study the specific environmental requirements for your product category, including restricted substances, energy/resource efficiency thresholds, and lifecycle criteria.

1. Conduct a self-assessment gap analysis: Compare your current product formulation, manufacturing processes, and supply chain against the standard's requirements to identify gaps that must be addressed before applying.

1. Prepare documentation: Compile product specifications, material safety data sheets, manufacturing process records, test reports, and supply chain documentation required for the application.

1. Submit application to CECP or an accredited certification body: Complete the formal application form and pay the application fee. CECP (China Environmental United Certification Center) is the primary body, but other CNAS-accredited bodies may also conduct assessments.

1. Undergo product testing and factory inspection: Accredited laboratories will test product samples against the standard's criteria. Auditors will conduct an on-site factory inspection to verify manufacturing processes and quality controls.

1. Receive certification decision: If all requirements are met, the certification body issues the China Environmental Label certificate, authorizing use of the "Ten-Ring" logo on certified products.

1. Maintain certification through surveillance: Submit to annual surveillance audits and renew the certification periodically (typically every three years), ensuring continued conformity with any updated standards.

The China Environmental Labelling program evaluates products against category-specific technical standards that cover the full product lifecycle. While criteria vary by product category, assessments generally address the following areas:

Restricted and Hazardous Substances: Products are tested for the presence and concentration of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other regulated substances. Limits are set based on health and environmental risk, and are often more stringent than general Chinese regulatory requirements.

Resource and Energy Efficiency: Standards assess raw material consumption, energy use during manufacturing, water efficiency, and the use of recycled or renewable materials. Products must meet defined thresholds for resource efficiency appropriate to their category.

Manufacturing Process and Pollution Control: Factory inspections evaluate wastewater treatment, air emissions, solid waste management, and noise control during production. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations and best practices.

Product Performance and Durability: Certain categories assess product lifespan, repairability, and end-of-life recyclability or disposability, ensuring that environmental benefits are not offset by poor performance or premature obsolescence.

Packaging: Packaging materials and design are evaluated for recyclability, reduced material use, and avoidance of hazardous substances.

Over 100 product category standards exist, covering construction materials, paints and coatings, textiles, electronics, vehicles, cosmetics, office supplies, cleaning products, and packaging. Each standard is developed with public comment and periodic revision to reflect advances in environmental science and technology.

The China Environmental Label — commonly known as the "Ten-Ring" label — is China's primary Type I eco-label, operating in accordance with ISO 14024. Established in 1993, it is one of the oldest and most established eco-labelling programs in Asia. With China being the world's largest manufacturing nation, the label carries significant weight in domestic procurement and is increasingly referenced in international supply chain due diligence. The program is administered by the China Environmental United Certification Center (CECP) under the oversight of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (formerly SEPA/MEP), giving it strong government backing and regulatory alignment.

Domestically, the label is a key requirement for China's Government Green Procurement (GGP) program, which mandates that public agencies prioritize certified products in purchasing decisions. This creates a powerful market incentive for manufacturers, particularly in categories such as office equipment, construction materials, and vehicles. Thousands of product models across hundreds of companies hold certification, making it one of the most widely adopted eco-labels in the Asia-Pacific region. The label is particularly dominant in the construction materials, electronics, and textile sectors.

Internationally, the China Environmental Label has mutual recognition agreements with several other Type I eco-label programs, including Environmental Choice New Zealand and the Korean Eco-Label, facilitating cross-border market access. However, its recognition outside Asia remains limited compared to the EU Ecolabel or Germany's Blue Angel. Growing global interest in supply chain transparency and China's own carbon neutrality commitments are expected to increase the label's relevance in export markets, particularly as international buyers seek verified environmental claims from Chinese suppliers.

The China Environmental Label was established in 1993 by China's State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), making it one of the earliest eco-labelling programs in Asia. It was modeled on international Type I eco-labelling principles — later codified in ISO 14024 — and was created to address growing concerns about industrial pollution, consumer product safety, and the environmental impact of China's rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. The program was designed to provide consumers and procurement agencies with a credible, third-party verified signal of environmental performance.

In its early years, the program focused on a limited number of product categories, primarily paints, refrigerators, and construction materials. Over subsequent decades, the scope expanded dramatically to cover more than 100 product categories. A major milestone came with the integration of the label into China's Government Green Procurement (GGP) policy framework in the 2000s, which made certified products eligible for preferential purchasing by government agencies — dramatically increasing the commercial value of certification. The program is administered by the China Environmental United Certification Center (CECP), which was established to manage the growing certification workload. CECP operates under the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) framework, ensuring international alignment. Mutual recognition agreements with eco-label programs in New Zealand, Korea, and other countries have further extended the label's reach beyond China's borders.