Nordic Swan Ecolabel
Since 2019 HAGS has collaborated with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, a trusted symbol of environmental responsibility in the Nordic region, to elevate the sustainability of our products.
Recognizing the complexity of sustainability, HAGS has recently taken this partnership a step further by embarking on a full licensing process with Nordic Swan, aiming to certify its playground equipment and outdoor furniture one step at a time.
By working closely with Nordic Swan, HAGS is committed to making it simpler for customers to make environmentally conscious decisions when selecting suppliers for their outdoor spaces. Through this ongoing certification process, HAGS seeks to provide clear, reliable assurances that its products meet rigorous environmental standards in the holistic life cycle of the product, that have been checked by Ecolabelling Sweden, helping customers identify and choose a sustainable option with confidence.
Through its strong commitment to environmental responsibility as a Nordic Ecolabel partner, HAGS actively promotes the circular economy. This approach enhances business competitiveness, improves resource efficiency, and supports the development of new business models and innovative solutions. HAGS’ dedication also contributes to the UN’s global sustainability goals, advancing sustainable development for a better future.
What is the Nordic Swan Ecolabel?
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a voluntary, third-party certification system that indicates a product, or service meets strict environmental requirements. It's considered one of the world’s toughest environmental certifications.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel was established in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. It's the official ecolabel for the Nordic countries.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a Type 1 ecolabel, which means it meets the conditions set out in the EU Public Procurement Directive which is controlled by the ISO 14024 International Standard.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel assessment criteria
The objective of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel is to reduce the overall environmental impact of consumption. This is why the whole product life cycle – from raw materials to production, use, disposal and recycling – is included in the assessment when the requirements for Nordic Swan Eco labelled products are established.
This is primarily done on the basis of the following six parameters:
1 Requirements for renewable, recycled and sustainable raw materials
2 Strict chemical requirements
3 Requirements for reduced use of resources and energy
4 Quality requirements and lifetime
5 Requirements for product design, dismantling and repairability
6 Requirements for optimum waste and resource handling
Certified Products
We know that it is difficult for customers to make sustainable choices that are endorsed by a 3rd party. For a faster green transition, HAGS believe this must be easier, and therefore have added the Nordic Swan Logo to only Certified Products (a selection which we intend to grow giving our customers a greater and more transparent choice).
Playground Equipment
Park and Urban Furniture
Insights from Martin Gajdos on Nordic Swan Ecolabelling Certification
We interviewed Martin Gajdos, an Advisor & Product Specialist at Nordic Swan Ecolabelling (Svanen), to give us more insights and information about the process of obtaining this certification.
Could you explain the Nordic Swan (Svanen) certification process and the benefits it brings to a company?
"The Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification is an extensive process and generally involves providing documentation, third-party verification, and ensuring ongoing compliance with strict environmental and health standards. For companies offering Swan labelled products, this certification enhances market differentiation, builds consumer trust, supports regulatory alignment and opens doors to green markets. Overall, it’s a valuable certification for driving sustainability and market success."
What was the audit process like for HAGS to achieve the Nordic Swan (Svanen) certification?
"An on-site audit is a mandatory part of the Nordic Ecolabelling certification process, and for HAGS, it was the final step before obtaining the license. While the documentation submitted during certification covers most requirements, some criteria—such as the quality control system, product traceability, and verification of declared materials—must be inspected in person at the production site. HAGS performed exceptionally well during the audit, demonstrating strong compliance with our requirements and standards, ensuring a successful outcome."
Could you share some brief reflections on the audit process with HAGS? Is there anything specific you’d like to highlight about our company or our practices?
"Yes, there is one thing I would like to highlight, and that is HAGS team involved in the certification process. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to meeting the criteria were impressive and played a key role in ensuring a smooth and successful certification. I’m personally looking forward to continuing our collaboration in the future."
