Starting September 2026, the Empowering Consumers directive (EmpCo) will come into force and fundamentally change the rules of the game for sustainability communication. What companies need to know and do now to be prepared.
What is the EmpCo directive and when is it coming?
The Empowering Consumers directive (EmpCo for short) is a new European Union directive that specifically targets greenwashing and aims to ensure greater transparency in environmental labels. The core of the directive is protecting consumers from misleading sustainability claims and labels.
The necessity of this regulation is obvious: The market is flooded with self-invented environmental labels, vague sustainability claims, and non-transparent certification systems. Starting September 2026, EmpCo will be binding for all companies in the EU and set clear boundaries.
These labels will disappear
The EmpCo directive will bring about significant cleanup among environmental and sustainability labels. The following labels will no longer be permissible:
- Sustainability labels invented by companies themselves without independent verification
- Labels without genuine certification systems behind them
- Labels without independent verification by external third parties
- Certifications with non-transparent award criteria that are not comprehensible to consumers
This measure is long overdue and will help consumers regain trust in sustainability claims.
These labels remain permitted
Not all environmental labels have to disappear. The following remain permitted:
- Certifications with recognized systems and objective third-party verification – such as our CSE standard (Certified Sustainable Economics)
- Government labels such as the EU Ecolabel
- Transparent, accessible standards whose criteria are publicly viewable and comprehensible
Are companies still allowed to talk about sustainability at all?
For companies that have been taking sustainability seriously for many years and demonstrating corresponding commitment, EmpCo almost seems like punishment. One might assume that this years-long engagement can no longer be communicated at all.
But we can dispel this misconception: Sustainability may and should continue to be communicated – there are just a few new rules of the game!
These terms become problematic:
Blanket terms like “environmentally friendly,” “sustainable,” “green,” or “ecological” will no longer be permissible without specific proof. Only companies with outstanding proven environmental performance could receive exceptions here – though the exact criteria are not yet defined.
These statements remain permitted:
Concrete, verifiable statements remain permissible, for example:
- “100% renewable energy in production”
- “made from 68% renewable raw materials”
What counts as recognized proof?
The keyword “proof” is crucial for future communication. EmpCo accepts as proof:
- Government environmental labels
- Achieving the highest energy efficiency class for corresponding product groups
- Scientifically substantiated environmental claims with independent verification
- External verification of sustainability performance by recognized experts
CSE and EmpCo: Future-proof certification?
What does the EmpCo directive mean for companies with CSE certification? The good news: CSE certification has been legally confirmed to be fundamentally EmpCo-compliant.
Through independent verification by our recognized auditors such as EcoControl, the CSE standard (and also all our product certifications) meets the requirements that EmpCo places on labels. The holistic approach of the CSE standard also ensures credibility, and we are confident that CSE-certified companies will be granted greater leeway in communication from 2026 onwards.
But: Additional proof may still be required for very specific environmental claims. Which exact statements are covered by the CSE standard can only be definitively assessed by us (and our lawyer) once EmpCo has been transposed into national law.
Act now: How to prepare your company
2026 is coming faster than expected – especially for companies that haven’t yet adapted their products and packaging. We recommend:
- Review your current sustainability communication for blanket statements and non-compliant labels
- Secure your communication, especially on durable media like packaging
- Invest in recognized certifications like CSE that will remain valid after 2026
- Collect concrete, verifiable data on your environmental performance
- Have your sustainability goals externally verified to be able to communicate them in the future
Conclusion: Opportunity for genuine sustainability
While the EmpCo directive may initially present a challenge for many companies – it offers the opportunity to separate the wheat from the chaff. Companies with serious sustainability engagement and transparent processes will emerge stronger from this regulation.
For consumers, the directive means more clarity and less confusion in the label jungle. This can strengthen trust in sustainability communication and ultimately lead to more conscious purchasing decisions.
Time to act! Contact us if you have questions about CSE certification or need support adapting your sustainability communication.
Frequently asked questions about the EmpCo directive
When does the EmpCo directive take effect?
The EmpCo directive will be binding for all companies in the EU starting September 2026.
What penalties threaten in case of violations?
The exact sanction mechanisms will only be determined when transposed into national law. Experience shows that violations of EU consumer protection directives can result in substantial fines.
Can I no longer use the term “sustainable” at all?
Terms like “sustainable” used in blanket fashion without concrete proof will generally no longer be permissible. However, with recognized certification like CSE, greater leeway might exist.
Does the directive also apply to small companies?
Yes, the EmpCo directive applies to companies of all sizes that operate in the EU and make sustainability claims or use corresponding labels.
How can I best prepare?
In addition to legal advice, recognized certification like CSE can serve as a good foundation for continuing to communicate credibly about sustainability in the future.
