The European Commission has published an amendment of the Decision 2005/338/EC in order to prolong the validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to campsite service for 18 months which means that the criteria awards will remain until October 31, 2009.

In Europe there are now 53 enterprises with this award and more than 92% are located in four Member States: Denmark (18), Germany (13), Austria (9) and Italy (9). Tourist countries such as Greece or Spain do not have this award and France has only one enterprise with this award.

How does it work the Community eco-label?

The Community eco-label award scheme is designed to:

• Promote products which have a reduced environmental impact compared with other products in the same product group;
• Provide consumers with accurate and scientifically based information and guidance on products.

Eco-label criteria must be established by product group and be based on:

• The product's prospects of market penetration;
• The technical and economic feasibility of the necessary adaptations;
• The potential for environmental improvement.

The criteria are set and reviewed by the European Union Eco-Labelling Board (EUEB), which is also responsible for the assessment and verification requirements relating to them. They are published in the Official Journal of the European Union.