ISO 14021 belongs to Type II Environmental Labeling - Self-declaration standards, which is a self-declaration for environmental aspects.

The content of the declaration can vary, including:

● Compostable

● Degradable

● Designed for disassembly

● Extended lifespan products

● Using recycled energy

● Recyclable

● Recycled content

● Recycled material

● Reduced energy consumption

● Resource conservation

● Reduced water consumption

● Reusable

● Reinstallable

● Reduced waste generation

The purpose of environmental self-declaration

The overall goal of environmental labeling and declarations is to promote demand and supply of products with reduced environmental impact through verifiable, non-misleading, and accurate information exchange about the environmental aspects of products, and to unleash the market-driven potential for continual environmental improvement. The purpose of this standard is to harmonize the use of self-declarations on environmental aspects. This will have the following functions:

■ To provide verifiable, non-misleading, and accurate environmental declarations;

■ To increase market-driven potential, thereby incentivizing environmental improvements in production, processes, and products;

■ To prevent or reduce unsubstantiated environmental claims;

■ To reduce market confusion;

■ To facilitate international trade;

■ To provide more opportunities for informed choices to product purchasers, potential purchasers, and users.

Audit content

● During on-site audits, the authenticity of the company's self-declared content is confirmed through activities such as site inspections, record checks, and employee interviews.

● For declaration contents that require supporting tests for verification, the company needs to provide corresponding test reports as evidence.

● The issues identified during the audit process can be categorized into serious, minor, and recommended levels. If serious issues are identified, the certification will not be approved. If only minor issues are identified, the certificate can be issued once the issues are rectified. In the absence of issues or with only recommended items, the certificate can be issued directly.