GUIDE TO GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF SYSTEMS WITH FABRIC TOWEL ROLLS IN TOWEL DISPENSERS

Transcription

1 GUIDE TO GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF SYSTEMS WITH FABRIC TOWEL ROLLS IN TOWEL DISPENSERS

2 This guide is based on the Blue Angel criteria for fabric towel rolls in towel dispensers (RAL-UZ 77), June 2008 edition. Although the information in this guide has been thoroughly checked, the possibility of errors cannot be ruled out entirely. For this reason, no guarantee is given that the content is correct, complete and up to date. Neither does the publisher accept any liability for potential consequences arising from the content. We allow copying or other use of all content contained in this guide if it is not distorted or used in any other improper way. Published by: Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency) Wörlitzer Platz Dessau-Roßlau (Germany) umweltfreundliche-beschaffung@uba.de Website: Version: 26. April 2013 Cover picture: Marcus Gast, Umweltbundesamt 2

3 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 4 2. Using this guide 5 3. Scope 5 4. Definitions and regulations 5 5. Environmental requirements Requirements for fabric towel rolls and towel dispensers Reusability Functional efficiency of the towel dispenser Portioning Recycling, waste reduction Requirements under legislation and rules Requirements regarding cleaning methods in laundries Requirements relating to ingredients Water hazard class requirements Requirements relating to preliminary cleaning Minimising surfactants Consumption of fresh water Requirements relating to biocidal substances 7 6. Evidence 7 Annex List of criteria for green public procurement of systems with fabric towel rolls in towel dispensers 8 3

4 1. Introduction Under the Workplace Ordinance, the use of communal towels in public administration, restaurants, hotels and factories has been prohibited for hygienic reasons since Possible alternative systems for hand drying are: hot-air hand dryers, towel dispensers filled with paper towels made from waste paper or with cellulose-based white paper towels (chlorine bleached and non-chlorine bleached), and towel dispensers with fabric towel rolls. In terms of environmental evaluation there are differences between the systems listed. In a comparative ecological study of hand drying systems, the Federal Environment Agency has investigated environmental impacts due to energy consumption, water consumption, waste generated, raw materials used, wastewater, air pollution and transport. 1 On the basis of the data recorded, the system of cellulose paper towels received comparatively unfavourable environmental ratings. This is due to the consumption of fresh fibres, the relatively high consumption of energy and water, and the air pollution arising from the production process. The Federal Environment Agency did not draw up any ecological rankings for the three remaining hand drying systems towel dispensers with paper towels made from waste paper, towel dispensers with fabric towel rolls, and hot-air hand dryers. The Federal Environment Agency has confirmed that use of the hand drying systems mentioned above in public facilities is safe from a hygiene point of view. As regards hygiene, thorough drying of the hands is the most important criterion for the effectiveness of drying systems, since pathogens can be transmitted by wet hands. Numerous studies have shown that the drying time when using towels is shorter than for hot-air hand dryers. Towels are therefore to be preferred in hygienically sensitive areas such as hospitals, where rapid and efficient drying is at a premium. Paper towels and cotton towels also offer the possibility of follow-up hand cleaning. The system of fabric towel rolls with modern fabric towel dispensers satisfies all requirements of hygiene, fitness for use and environmental protection. After hand drying, it presents the next guest with a clean and dry piece of fresh fabric. The fabric towel rolls themselves have a long life ( cycles) and good hygienic properties, because they consist of strong fabric with a firm feel. Moreover, the long life of fabric towels and their reuse, e.g. as polishing cloths and cleaning rags, results in less waste. As a rule, the system of fabric towel rolls in dispensers also includes the cleaning of the fabric towel rolls and maintaining the function of the towel dispensers. Modern laundries are notable for their low water consumption, environmentally sound use of detergents and recycling of the washing water. 1 Umweltbundesamt (Ed.): Händetrocknungssysteme Vergleichende ökologische Betrachtung unterschiedlicher Systeme zum Abtrocknen der Hände. UBA-TEXTE 26/93, Berlin,

5 2. Using this guide The guide itself contains important information and recommendations that public contracting authorities need so that they can take account of environmental aspects in the award and contract documents. The list of criteria published separately on for green procurement of fabric towel rolls in towel dispensers is intended as a supplement to the tender specifications. As far as the environmental requirements for the order item are concerned, a reference in the tender specifications is therefore sufficient to satisfy the legal requirement of a full and clear description of the service Scope This guide applies to the procurement of fabric towel rolls in fabric towel dispensers. This includes: XXThe procurement of fabric towel rolls made of cotton; these may be reinforced by using up to 35 % of other types of fibre. XXRequirements concerning cleaning methods in laundries which must be observed in the washing of fabric towel rolls. 4. Definitions and regulations X X Biocide : Biocidal substances are substances having a general or specific action on or against harmful organisms and intended for use as an active ingredient in biocidal products. Such substances also include microorganisms including viruses or moulds with a corresponding action and purpose. 3 X X Fabric softeners are products for modifying the feel of textiles in processes supplementary to textile washing. X X Workplaces Ordinance (Verordnung über Arbeitsstätten ArbStättV) of (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 729), most recently amended on (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1057) : This ordinance applies to workplaces in establishments covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz). 4 X X Food and Animal Feeds Code (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch LFGB) : The purpose of the act is to ensure, in the case of foodstuffs, animal feeds, cosmetic agents and utility articles, that consumers are protected by means of precautions against or aversion of a risk to human health. 5 X X Rules for hospital hygiene and infection prevention : is the standard work for hygiene officers and administrators in hospitals, old people s homes and operating facilities, hospital and surgery architects, and doctors in out-patient operating facilities. It includes measures for intervention and prevention and for quality assurance of health precautions and health care in accordance with the proposals of the Robert Koch Institute and recommendations by the Commission on Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention. 6 2 Cf. Section 7 (1) VOL/A and Section 8 (1) VOL/A-EC: The service must be fully and clearly described, so that all bidders are bound to understand the description in the same way and that there is reason to expect bids that can be compared (tender specification). It also follows from Section 8 (5) VOL/A-EC that specifications from ecolabels can be used in certain circumstances. Mere reference to such criteria is not permitted at least above the EU thresholds. As most recently decided by the European Court of Justice on the basis of Art. 23 (6) of Directive 2004/18/EC in its decision of 10 May 2012 in case C-368/10 Commission v. Netherlands (see op. cit., marginal note 112). 3 Available on the Internet: URL: ( ) [html document] 4 Available on the Internet: URL: ( ) [PDF document] 5 LFGB: Date of issue: Version: revised by announcement of I 1770; most recently amended by Art. 1 V of I Available online on the Internet: URL: ( ) [html document] 6 For more information, see html ( ) [html document] 5

6 5. Environmental requirements 5.1. Requirements for fabric towel rolls and towel dispensers Criterion: Exclusion Evidence: Manufacturer s declaration Reusability The fabric towel rolls must be able to last for 80 cycles of use in and removal from a towel dispenser Functional efficiency of the towel dispenser The used part of the fabric towel roll must be retracted into the towel dispenser after each use Portioning One fabric towel roll must provide at least 80 towel portions Recycling, waste reduction The fabric towel rolls must be sent for recycling (e.g. use as polishing cloths or cleaning rags) when they are worn out or damaged Requirements under legislation and rules The fabric towel rolls must comply with the following requirements and rules: XXLFGB (Food and Animal Feeds Code) XXRules for hospital hygiene and infection prevention XXRules of the Workplaces Ordinance 5.2. Requirements regarding cleaning methods in laundries Criterion: Exclusion Evidence: Manufacturer s declaration Requirements relating to ingredients Laundries may only use detergents and cleaners pursuant to Section 2 subsection 1 of the Washing and Cleansing Agents Act (Wasch- und Reinigungsmittelgesetz WRMG) which do not contain the following ingredients: XXPhosphates XXAPEO (alkylphenol ethoxylates) XXEDTA XXOptical brighteners XXFabric softeners XXPhosphonates exceeding 1.0 % by weight XXNTA exceeding 1.0 % by weight XXChlorine-based bleaches XXHalogenated organic compounds 6

7 Water hazard class requirements The detergents must not contain any ingredients classified in water hazard class 3 (WGK 3) Requirements relating to preliminary cleaning Preliminary cleaning of the washing with solvents in accordance with Annex 52 to the Wastewater Ordinance (Abwasserverordnung AbwV) is not permitted Minimising surfactants Soft water is to be used for washing, in order to minimise the use of surfactants Consumption of fresh water Fresh water consumption must not exceed 8 m 3 per tonne of dry washing in laundries which reuse water, or 10 m 3 per tonne of dry washing in all other laundries Requirements relating to biocidal substances As a basic principle, no substances or preparations with a biocidal action may be used in the entire cleaning and after-care process for the cotton towel rolls. This ban does not apply to: XXIn-can preservatives for preservation purposes that are contained in the preparations used; XXOxygen-based bleaches. A description of the cleaning method used will be provided on request. 6. Evidence Such evidence confirms that the information provided by the bidder or the solution proposed are in line with the requirements in the tender specifications. Evidence is normally to be supplied with the bid 7, but may also be requested subsequently by the contracting authority. In each individual case the contracting authority must weigh up whether the probable value of the order is in proportion to the work involved in producing the evidence. In the case of products bearing the Blue Angel ecolabel, it may be assumed in accordance with Section 8 (5) VOL/A-EC (and similarly for the sub-threshold sector) that they have been shown to satisfy the requirements specified here. One possible form of words might be: In the case of products bearing the Blue Angel ecolabel, it is assumed that they satisfy the environmental criteria specified here. Any other suitable evidence, such as technical information from the manufacturer, will also be accepted. It should be noted that the Blue Angel may be permitted as a form of evidence (in addition to other suitable evidence), but it cannot replace the inclusion of the above-mentioned technical requirements in the tender specifications. Neither is it permissible to make a general reference to the relevant basic award criteria of the Blue Angel 8. 7 See Section 16 (3) a VOL/A and Section 19 (3) a VOL/A-EC. 8 According to Section 7 (1) VOL/A and Section 8 (1) VOL/A-EC, a full and clear description of the requested product or service must be provided to make it possible to compare bids. In the case of awards above the threshold values, the possibilities that nevertheless exist for referring to predefined technical specifications are regulated in detail (see Section 8 (2) 1 VOL/A-EC in conjunction with Annex TS). These state that reference to the basic award criteria of ecolabels is not permitted. 7

8 Annex List of criteria for green public procurement of systems with fabric towel rolls in towel dispensers No. Criterion Exclusion criterion 1 Requirements for fabric towel rolls and towel dispensers 1.1 Reusability The fabric towel rolls must be able to last for 80 cycles of use in and removal from a towel dispenser. 1.2 Functional efficiency of the towel dispenser The used part of the fabric towel roll must be retracted into the towel dispenser after each use. 1.3 Portioning One fabric towel roll must provide at least 80 towel portions. 1.4 Recycling, waste reduction The fabric towel rolls must be sent for recycling (e.g. use as polishing cloths or cleaning rags) when they are worn out or damaged. 1.5 Requirements under legislation and rules The fabric towel rolls must comply with the following requirements and rules: Evaluation criterion XXLFGB (Food and Animal Feeds Code) XXRules for hospital hygiene and infection prevention XXRules of the Workplaces Ordinance 8

9 No. Criterion Exclusion criterion Evaluation criterion 2 Requirements regarding cleaning methods in laundries. 2.1 Requirements relating to ingredients Laundries may only use detergents and cleaners pursuant to Section 2 subsection 1 of the Washing and Cleansing Agents Act (Wasch- und Reinigungsmittelgesetz WRMG) which do not contain the following ingredients: XXPhosphates XXAPEO (alkylphenol ethoxylates) XXEDTA XXOptical brighteners XXFabric softeners XXPhosphonates exceeding 1.0 % by weight XXNTA exceeding 1.0 % by weight XXChlorine-based bleaches XXHalogenated organic compounds 2.2 Water hazard class requirements The detergents must not contain any ingredients classified in water hazard class 3 (WGK 3). 2.3 Requirements relating to preliminary cleaning Preliminary cleaning of the washing with solvents in accordance with Annex 52 to the Wastewater Ordinance (Abwasserverordnung AbwV) is not permitted. 2.4 Minimising surfactants Soft water is to be used for washing, in order to minimise the use of surfactants. 2.5 Consumption of fresh water Fresh water consumption must not exceed 8 m 3 per tonne of dry washing in laundries which reuse water, or 10 m 3 per tonne of dry washing in all other laundries. 2.6 Requirements relating to biocidal substances with a biocidal action may be used in the entire cleaning and after-care process for the fabric towel rolls. This ban does not apply to: XXIn-can preservatives for preservation purposes that are contained in the preparations used XXOxygen-based bleaches. 9

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