The European Commission, with the support of the Member States, defines products and services that can be certified, based on studies on both the dissemination and the environmental impact they generate (for example, air and water quality, waste production, energy consumption, greenhouse gas production, etc.) by establishing specific ecological and performance criteria for each selected product or service.
The EU Ecolabel criteria aim to reduce such impacts by setting ambitious ecological and performance requirements that products/services will have compliance with in order to obtain the coveted label. The EU Ecolabel is verified, awarded and controlled by an independent third party. In Italy this role is carried out by the Ecolabel-Ecoaudit Committee with the technical support of ISPRA (The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research). Furthermore, in Italy, ISPRA carries out the promotional and dissemination activities of the EU Ecolabel.
The European Union Ecolabel for Accommodation facilities was created in order to encourage hotels, family farms, B&Bs, inns, hostels, residences, campsites and tourists to respect the environment. The flower indicates a higher ecological quality at the tourist destination. Certified facilities must meet strict criteria and ensure a high environmental performance.
In 2002, research found that more and more tourists prefer accommodation facilities that ensure environmental quality.