The Swan label's criteria are under constant review and a new revision of the hotel criteria is planned for 2010.

"It is a shame that the Ecological Council has included the Swan label in their general criticism of environmental labelling of hotels. The Swan label has comprehensive and strict requirements on the use of energy, amongst other things". In 2010 the Swan labels hotel criteria will be reviewed, and I encourage the Ecological Council to make tangible proposals for change," says Ann-Kristin Johansson (S), Chair of the Nordic Council's Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

It is clear from 'Politiken's' article that, in fact, the Swan has considerably stricter requirements than the other eco-labels, for example, with regard to energy consumption. Søren Mørch Andersen from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency points out that hotel management is very complicated and cannot be compared with the hotel's energy efficiency class. The Environmental Committee is therefore surprised that the Ecological Council has criticised the Swan label on the same terms as other eco-labels when the Swan appears to have the toughest requirements for hotels.

"Consumers must feel confident that the purchase of Swan-labelled products, including hotel products, is a guarantee for a better environment. Therefore, the Social Democrats in the Nordic Council are actively engaged in the work of the upcoming review of the Swan label for hotels, to ensure even better criteria", says Ann-Kristin Johansson.

Silje Bergum Kinsten
Phone +45 33 96 02 51
Email siki@norden.org

For further information please contact Kristina Aaltonen, Party Group Secretary for the Social Democrats in the Nordic Council. Mobile: +45 61 62 34 92
E-mail: skraa@ft.dk