Understanding the EU Green Claims Directive

In this article, we'll explore how the new EU Green Claims Directive is changing the way businesses prove their environmental claims. This will explain the steps companies need to take to verify their green credentials, the roles of important players like certification bodies and auditors, and what this means for businesses aiming to be more sustainable...

The Impact of the EU Green Claims Directive on Sustainability Certifications

In the European Union, the push towards a more sustainable future is gaining momentum with the introduction of the Green Claims (GC) Directive. This new regulation requires that any environmental claims made by organizations must be substantiated through independent verification by an accredited third-party certification body, backed by solid scientific evidence. This transformative approach aims to enhance transparency and consumer trust, but how exactly does it function, and what are the implications for businesses and auditors?

The Verification Process

Before an organization can tout its green credentials, the claims must pass through a rigorous verification process. This involves several key players:

1. International Accreditation Forum (IAF): The IAF plays a crucial role in creating a unified global program for conformity assessment, ensuring that certifications hold consistent value and meaning across borders.
2. European Accreditation (EA): Working closely with the IAF, the EA focuses on maintaining a multilateral agreement of mutual recognition, known as the EA MLA. This agreement is built on a harmonized accreditation infrastructure that spans across Europe.
3. National Accreditation Bodies: Every country within the EU has its own national accreditation body, such as DAkkS in Germany or UKAS in the United Kingdom. These bodies are responsible for accrediting and continually renewing the accreditations of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), which include laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies (CBs), and verification bodies.

Roles and Responsibilities

Understanding the roles of various stakeholders in this process is essential for compliance:

• Certification Bodies: These entities are at the heart of the assessment process. They conduct the third-party audits and issue compliance certificates. It’s important to note that it is not the scheme owner, but the certification body who grants the certificate to an organization.
• Auditors: Appointed by the certification bodies, auditors must adhere to ISO 19011 guidelines, which outline the principles of auditing management systems. They assess the conformity of products or services against a specific standard, which includes data protection requirements compliant with ISO 14024 type I.
• Consultants: These professionals help in co-creating criteria, developing reporting tools, templates, and training materials. They also provide guidance, interpretation of criteria, and support with internal audits and on-site inspections.
• Scheme Owner: Person or organization responsible for the development and maintenance of a conformity assessment system or conformity assessment scheme. The scheme owner sets the audit methodology and testing methods that are used by the certification body to carry out that assessment.
  

The Bigger Picture

The introduction of the Green Claims Directive represents a significant step forward in ensuring that environmental claims are not only credible but also scientifically verifiable. This move is expected to significantly impact how companies market their green initiatives, pushing for a more honest and scientifically-backed environmental advocacy.

For businesses, this means adapting to new requirements and possibly re-evaluating their current practices and partnerships. The directive also presents an opportunity for auditors and consultants to expand their services and expertise in a growing field of eco-certification.

As we move towards a more sustainable future, the importance of credible, verified green claims cannot be understated. The Green Claims Directive is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of environmental responsibility in the EU.

About the Author 

Peter Henkes

After a career of over 30 years in tourism and hospitality in both Europe and New Zealand, Peter decided it was time to give back to the world and changed careers to become a coach and auditor in sustainability.