Sustainability at bol

Sustainability is a current topic, also at bol. We want to improve every day, together with our suppliers and our partners. That's why we'd like to tell you more about how sustainability plays a role on our platform. Because more sustainable entrepreneurship doesn't have to be difficult or complex. We've outlined our framework for a sustainable product range for you! 

Choosing a more sustainable product range is a good plan! We're happy to help you with that. There are several points you can use to assess whether your item(s) can be labeled as more sustainable. To assist you, we have established a framework within our product range policy for more sustainable items. For example, we adhere to Dutch laws and regulations and do not sell disposable plastic and bio-disposable plastic. We are happy to go a step further and no longer sell (gift) packages that contain (bio) disposable plastic, such as confetti or streamers with a foil layer.

Additionally, sustainable quality marks play a role in determining which product range is more sustainable. Sustainable quality marks are issued by recognized companies that are experts in specific fields. Examples include B Corp, Ska, or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). You can apply for these quality marks and provide them to us so that we, and our customers, know that your item is more sustainable! So, be sure to talk to your supplier or producer to see how your product range can qualify for these quality marks.

Dutch consumers increasingly value sustainability. If your product range is in order and you've considered the (sustainable) choices you make, you naturally want customers to easily find these items. For this, we have set up sustainability labels. With these labels, customers can get more information at a glance about what makes an item sustainable. For example, about its origin, production, or environmental impact. This way, we work together to help customers make well-informed choices within our broad product range.

At bol, you currently find sustainability labels in the following themes: Sustainable ingredients, Energy-saving, Reuse of materials, People & Society, Responsible materials, and Free from harmful substances. To help customers make a more sustainable choice, the sustainability labels are easily recognizable and discoverable in our store. They appear as a button in search results and are shown with an item's content. Customers can also filter for more sustainable items. So, for you as a partner, it's extra important to label your items correctly! But first, what's important: how do you qualify for a sustainability label?

Obtaining a Sustainability Label

Within the bol product range, items are labeled as more sustainable if they meet at least one of these 3 points:

• The item has an approved quality mark such as EKO (for organic items), ASC (for sustainable fishing), or NaTrue (for natural cosmetics). You can find which quality marks we recognize per theme on the Partnerplatform.
• The item consists of at least 50% sustainable material.
• The item meets the conditions of the personal care decision tree. You can find the personal care decision tree on the page for More Sustainable Ingredients.

Tip: there's a chance your items already meet (one of) these points! This means you might already qualify for a sustainability label, and you only need to apply for it. You can apply for quality marks yourself, or perhaps one of your items already has a quality mark, applied for by the producer or supplier.