EmpCo Services
The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo) Directive introduces new requirements for environmental and sustainability-related commercial communications directed at consumers in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Depending on the type of claim, specific prohibitions or requirements regarding evidence, transparency, or verification may apply. For organizations, this means reviewing existing claims, labels and future environmental performance claims, as well as the supporting documentation.
How We Support You
Depending on their subject and scope, environmental and sustainability claims require different forms of support. While product-related claims may need an appropriate substantiation and supporting evidence, sustainability labels and future environmental performance claims may be subject to specific requirements for independent third-party monitoring or verification.
Our DEKRA experts bring together relevant assessment and verification expertise across these areas. Our services range from supporting the substantiation of product-related claims and independently assessing sustainability label schemes to verifying transition plans and progress towards environmental targets.
Our Services for Environmental and Sustainability Claims
Our services cover three key areas, each reflecting different requirements for substantiation, transparency, assessment and independent verification.
Product-related environmental claims include various types of statements, such as carbon footprint claims, environmental product benefits, recycled content claims, circularity claims and other environmental characteristics of products.
What You Need to Know
For most product-related environmental claims, EmpCo focuses primarily on substantiation, transparency and avoiding misleading communication. Organizations must have an appropriate evidence base to support their claims.
Our Product Sustainability & Circularity services can help establish the evidence supporting product-related claims. Learn more!
Voluntary sustainability labels are used by their owners which include certification scheme operators, industry associations, and retailers with private sustainability labels to communicate the defined environmental or social characteristics of products and services.
What You Need to Know
EmpCo establishes specific requirements for voluntary sustainability labels. Such labels may only be displayed if they are established by public authorities or based on qualifying certification schemes. These schemes must include independent third-party monitoring and meet requirements regarding transparency, accessibility, governance and the handling of non-compliance.
Our experts can support you with independent assessment and verification activities for Sustainability Label schemes. Learn more about Verification & Validation!
Future environmental performance claims include commitments such as net-zero targets, climate-neutrality goals, emissions reduction commitments and broader environmental transition commitments.
What This Means for You
EmpCo does not prohibit these claims, but organizations need to support them with clear and measurable targets, publicly available commitments, implementation plans and allocated resources. Progress must also be communicated transparently and verified independently on a regular basis.
We can support the independent assessment and verification of transition plans and progress toward environmental targets. Learn more about Decarbonization Services!
Why DEKRA?
- Independent third-party expertise: Our objective assessment, verification, and monitoring services support sustainability-related claims and sustainability labels, as well as future environmental performance claims.
- Integrated sustainability expertise: We combine product sustainability, verification and decarbonization expertise to address the different assessment needs arising across key EmpCo areas.
- Practical implementation support: Our Green Claims training and workshops help organizations understand and apply the relevant requirements.