The Écolabel Européen: Your Compass for Sustainable Tourism
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Is travelling more sustainably your priority? You’re not alone! According to a 2025 Booking.com survey¹, 79% of travellers worldwide share this wish. More and more holidaymakers are choosing certified accommodation or green campsites to reduce their ecological impact. This is also confirmed by statistics from the Brittany Tourist Board², which states that 79% of tourists favour these labelled establishments. But faced with a multitude of labels, how do you make the right choice? Which ones guarantee a genuine environmental approach? Focus on one of the most reliable and demanding ecolabels: the Écolabel européen.
How many official ecolabels exist?
Based on ISO 14024, 2 official ecolabels stand out to guide your choice.
The first is the NF Environnement label, born in 1991. It certifies the ecological performance of a product or service throughout its life cycle.
The second, and most widespread for tourism services, is the emblematic Écolabel européen. Created in 1992 by the European Commission, it is recognised, as its name suggests, across all of Europe! This label recognises hotels and campsites that make a concrete commitment to reducing their impact on the environment. To obtain this valuable certification, green tourism businesses must meet 22 mandatory requirements and 45 optional points.
So, what exactly is the Écolabel européen?
So what exactly is the definition of this famous open sesame? The Écolabel européen is an official European Union certification that recognises the products and services most respectful of our planet. Think of it as the benchmark ecolabel! To obtain it, applicants must follow a strict set of specifications. The goal is to limit their impact on the environment.
This voluntary label is based on the international standard ISO 14024. It analyses the full life cycle of the product or service. AFNOR Certification checks on site that all requirements are properly met. It’s a guarantee of seriousness for committed businesses!
Good to know: the Écolabel européen doesn’t apply solely to hotels and tourist accommodation. It can also recognise many everyday products, such as:
- Detergents, household or professional;
- Cosmetics and animal care products;
- Hygiene products (e.g. sanitary towels, menstrual cups);
- Paints, varnishes, paper (toilet paper, graphic paper, bags…);
- Textiles and cleaning products.
What guarantees does a campsite with the Écolabel Européen offer you?
Concretely, what are the benefits for you as a traveller? Trust, above all! An Opinion Way survey for ADEME³ already showed in 2020 that 81% of French people trust this label. And 73% recognise its logo, the famous little flower! Choosing tourist accommodation that carries this logo guarantees more sustainable services.
This certification assures you that the establishment does everything possible to minimise its impact on the environment. The Écolabel européen guarantees you in particular:
- Controlled water and energy consumption.
- Reduced and better-sorted waste production.
- The use of renewable energy sources.
- The use of eco-friendly cleaning products.
It’s the promise of a stay combining comfort with respect for the planet, far from mere green marketing.
The Écolabel Européen at a glance
| Criterion | Detail |
| Origin | European Commission (1992) |
| Certification | By an independent body (e.g. AFNOR) |
| Basis | ISO 14024 standard, full life cycle |
| Sectors covered | Tourist accommodation, products (30+ categories) |
| Examples of requirements | Water/energy reduction, waste sorting, eco-friendly products |
| Benefits | Reduced environmental impact + savings achieved |
| Trust among the French | 81% (ADEME, 2020) |
So, ready to experience truly committed tourism? Book your eco-friendly campsite holding the Écolabel européen now and travel with peace of mind!
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable Tourism Labels
Other trustworthy labels for your eco-responsible holidays?
Écolabel européen vs Clef Verte: what are the differences?
The Écolabel Européen is the champion of rigour! It’s the only one that truly aligns with the definition of an ecolabel as set out in the international standard ISO 14024. The Clef Verte, of Danish origin, aims to be more encouraging. It’s an excellent first step for businesses starting their ecological transition, but its criteria are less demanding and there is no third-party certification. For maximum assurance, the European Union label therefore remains the benchmark.
Sources:
¹ Booking.com. (2025). 2025 Travel Amp Sustainability Report. https://news.booking.com/download/487ae9ae-97ef-4f66-b368-3b71787677b6/2025travelampsustainabilityreport-booking.com2.pdf
² Tourisme Bretagne. (2020). Hébergeurs touristiques, intégrez une démarche environnementale grâce à l’Ecolabel européen [Vidéo]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/455533931
³ ADEME. (s.d.). Affichez la différence avec l’Écolabel européen. Agir pour la transition. https://agirpourlatransition.ademe.fr/entreprises/ecoco
⁴ France.fr. (2022). Les labels pour un tourisme plus durable. https://www.france.fr/fr/article/labels-durable/#3-choisir-un-restaurant-locavore-3
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