EU ecolabel criteria for growing media and soil improvers

(1) More secondary raw materials were accepted as components of the product. This incentivises circular economy processes and in particular promotes a more resource-efficient use of organic matter and nutrients.
(2) The permitted content of contaminants, e.g. heavy metals, was decreased. This improves the safety of the products and it reduces the possible detrimental effects on humans, animals, plants or the environment in general.
(3) New principles set by the latest EU strategies were included, with particular reference to biodiversity and soil.
(4) The content of impurities, such as plastics, metal and glass, was proposed to the limits set by technical feasibility.
(5) A more stringent requirement was set for carbon dioxide emissions produced when manufacturing mineral growing media.