Empowering Consumers Directive: Ecocert supports companies in developing sustainable and credible labels, as well as transparent and reliable claims.

The European Union is taking another step towards a more transparent and responsible economy. With Directive (EU) 2024/825, also known as the Green Transition Directive, it is establishing a clear framework for environmental and social claims and labels. But what does this directive actually change, and how can Ecocert shed light on the subject? We tell you everything in this article.

A stronger legislative framework to combat greenwashing

Adopted in March 2024, this Directive is a major lever of the Green Deal for Europe. Its objective is to strengthen consumer protection against greenwashing practices by ensuring greater transparency and reliability of environmental and social claims.

It complements national initiatives such as the AGEC¹ law and the Climate & Resilience² law. It provides a European foundation for the future Directive on Green Claims³ still under negotiation. European Union member states will have to transpose this directive into national law by March 2026, for effective application from September 27, 2026.

1. Towards more transparent and credible labels

The directive defines the conditions for the use of sustainable development labels. From now on, an environmental and/or social label may only be displayed if it is based on a robust, publicly accessible, and verifiable certification system.

A certification system must meet specific criteria:

• Requirements defined in consultation with experts and stakeholders
• Open, transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory governance
• Clear procedures for managing non-compliance, including suspension or withdrawal of the label
• Independent monitoring by a competent third party, such as Ecocert, based on recognized standards such as ISO 17065

These requirements aim to ensure the credibility of labels by preventing the proliferation of self-declared quality marks that undermine consumer confidence.

2. For proven and reliable claims

Beyond labels, the directive also regulates environmental claims used in consumer communications, whether at the product, brand, or corporate level.

This directive now prohibits:

• Generic environmental claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “biodegradable,” or any equivalent statement deemed too vague
• Unverifiable commitments or those formulated without measurable criteria
• Claims of carbon neutrality based solely on offsetting, without actual emissions reductions

These statements must now be based on solid, verifiable, and up-to-date evidence.

For companies, this means:

• Scrutinizing all claims and potentially revising their marketing arguments
• Rigorous documentation of each claim (e.g., reduced impact, use of recycled materials, etc.)
• Preparing for increased scrutiny from the relevant authorities
• Keeping documentation supporting claims up to date

Ecocert: a key player in international certification

For over 30 years, Ecocert has been committed to ecological transition as an independent certification body recognized internationally. We are already accredited according to the main certification standards (including ISO 17065) for the issuance of environmental and/or social labels that require it, which enables us to effectively understand this new regulatory framework.

Our role is twofold:

1. Verify the compliance of products, services, and organizations with the requirements of the labels, through rigorous audits and proven procedures supported by our experts.

2. Guarantee the credibility of the labels obtained, ensuring transparency and reliability for consumers.

This expertise makes Ecocert a trusted partner for companies that want to promote their commitments and stand out in increasingly demanding markets.

For brands and companies: turning constraints into opportunities

The entry into force of this directive represents a challenge for many organizations, but also a real opportunity. With us by your side, you can:

• Continue to communicate your commitments through credible and robust labels such as COSMOS for cosmetics, the European regulation for organic farming for food, and many others...
• Strengthen consumer confidence, as consumers are increasingly attentive to the transparency and sincerity of environmental and social initiatives.
• Promote your responsible practices by transforming regulatory compliance into a real competitive advantage.

In summary

The Green Transition Directive is profoundly changing the way companies can communicate their environmental commitments. By relying on trusted partners such as Ecocert, they can not only comply with the new requirements, but also strengthen their credibility and positive impact.

Together, let's make sustainable labels and claims real drivers of change. Contact us!

¹ AGEC Law: Anti-waste law for a circular economy. Enacted in February 2020, it aims to transform the linear economic model into a circular model by combating waste, promoting reuse, and improving consumer information. Source: www.legifrance.gouv.fr

² Climate & Resilience Law: Enacted in August 2021, this law aims to accelerate the ecological transition in France by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting society to the effects of climate change. Source: www.ecologie.gouv.fr

³ Green Claims: European directive that aims to make environmental claims more reliable, comparable, and verifiable. Source: environment.ec.europa.eu