French Consumer Agencies Validate Cost Competitiveness of Certified Goods
A major four-year study conducted by France’s National Consumer Institute (INC) and UFC Que Choisir has delivered encouraging news for the professional ecolabelling and sustainable procurement community. After analyzing 413 products across 28 comparative tests (2020–2024), researchers concluded that products carrying the EU Ecolabel are, in most cases, as affordable—or even cheaper—than conventional alternatives.
The comprehensive assessment, covering detergents, hygiene products, cosmetics, and paints, revealed that in 82% of the test cases, EU Ecolabel-certified items showed either negligible price differences or notable cost savings compared to non-certified products. This finding challenges the persistent assumption of a “green premium” on environmentally certified goods.
Notable savings were recorded for everyday essentials:
- Washing liquids: €0.165 vs €0.24 per wash (31% savings)
- Bathroom sprays: €0.52 vs €0.64 per liter (19% savings)
- Toilet gel: €0.25 vs €0.29 per liter (14% savings)
- Anti-limescale cleaners: €0.33 vs €0.37 per liter (11% savings)
While some tests initially showed higher prices for certain EU Ecolabel products, such as matte paints and cleaning sprays, a deeper category-level analysis revealed that these premiums largely disappear when results are aggregated.
For governments, institutions, and consumers striving for sustainability without compromising affordability, these findings provide data-backed justification for prioritizing EU Ecolabel-certified products. They offer a more environmentally and health-friendly alternative at prices comparable to conventional products and thus remain financially accessible to consumers.
