Can you require a specific ecolabel in a tender?

Many suppliers assume that when a public buyer names a specific ecolabel in the tender, like the EU Ecolabel, the Nordic Swan or Blue Angel, they have no chance without that exact certification. It's a common misconception, and it costs otherwise strong bids. Here we clear up one of the most common misunderstandings about environmental criteria in public procurement, and why it matters more than before.

Can a buyer require a specific ecolabel? Not on its own

A public buyer can absolutely reference an ecolabel, but under Article 43 of the EU Public Procurement Directive (2014/24/EU), they must always accept "an equivalent label" or other appropriate means of proof. That means the EU Ecolabel, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and Germany's Blue Angel are typically treated as interchangeable when the underlying criteria fit.

If you haven't certified, you can normally submit alternative documentation showing that the same underlying requirements are met. The point of the rule is the substance behind the label, not the badge itself.

Why this matters more now

Climate and environment have moved from a small plus to a genuine deciding factor. The European Commission's push on Green Public Procurement (GPP), sector-specific GPP criteria and rules linked to the Green Deal all point the same way: environmental award criteria carry more weight than they did five years ago.

In Norway specifically, from 1 July 2026 the public procurement act requires environmental criteria to be weighted at least 30 percent in most published tenders, a strong version of the same trend visible across the EU and EEA.

For suppliers, that means environmental performance is now a place where tenders are actually won and lost. If you can show real environmental impact, this is where you build the lead.

What you should do

Read what the buyer actually asks for. If a specific ecolabel is named, look for "or equivalent", the wording must be there. If you don't hold that label, check whether another accepted ecolabel meets the criteria, or whether you can document the same underlying requirements on your own. Don't opt out of a bid just because one badge is missing.

Closing

An ecolabel is a useful shortcut because everyone recognises it, but it is never a gatekeeper. The "or equivalent" rule exists precisely so that strong suppliers are not locked out. And with environmental weighting on the rise across procurement, it's well worth spending real time on the sustainability part of your response.

We at Cobrief are happy to talk about how to answer environmental criteria well in public tenders.