EmpCo Guidelines Launch: A New Era in EU Sustainability Communication
If your reporting tools still rely on surveys, spreadsheets, and manual workflows — you're already behind.
The European Union’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo) — officially Directive (EU) 2024/825 — marks a transformative shift in how companies communicate sustainability claims across the EU. Adopted in 2024 and entering into force on 27 September 2026, EmpCo sets a new baseline for transparent, verifiable, and evidence‑based environmental communication for businesses operating in the EU.
Why EmpCo Matters for Corporate Sustainability Managers
EmpCo is designed to combat greenwashing and restore trust in sustainability claims — an issue that has long challenged corporate credibility, investor confidence, and consumer decision‑making. Under the directive:
Generic environmental claims like “eco‑friendly”, “green”, or “sustainable” are only permissible if supported by clear, verifiable evidence on the same medium (e.g., packaging, websites).
Sustainability labels and seals can only be used if they are backed by recognized certification schemes or established by public authorities — eliminating company‑made “eco” badges with no independent oversight.
Future‑oriented claims such as “net zero by 2030” must be accompanied by documented, measurable implementation plans with independent verification, not mere ambitions.
Offset‑only claims (e.g., those based solely on carbon credits) cannot be marketed as proof of neutrality without accompanying reduction evidence.
Environmental claims tied to product durability, reparability, or early obsolescence must reflect actual performance and be supported by harmonized pre‑contractual information standards.
These rules now form part of the EU’s consumer protection framework by amending the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive — meaning companies can face penalties, corrective orders, and reputational risk for non‑compliant communications.
What Corporate Sustainability Managers Need to Do
For sustainability leaders, EmpCo isn’t just another compliance checklist — it’s a strategic inflection point:
Audit existing claims and labels across products, services, and marketing channels to ensure they meet the new empirical and transparency thresholds.
Strengthen data governance to link sustainability claims directly to robust underlying metrics (e.g., life cycle assessments, GHG inventories, independent certifications).
Embed verification and audit processes in governance frameworks to ensure future claims meet third‑party or publicly recognized standards.
Bridge communication and performance so that sustainability narratives reflect verifiable achievements, not aspirations.
Each of these steps aligns sustainability communication with market expectations and regulatory clarity — protecting brands, enhancing trust, and reducing litigation risk.
EmpCo and the Future of Sustainable Communication
EmpCo’s arrival signals that sustainability reporting — once largely voluntary and internal — now has external communication consequences that are measurable and enforceable. Corporate sustainability teams must therefore elevate their approach from internal reporting (like CSRD disclosures) to external substantiation of claims that resonate with stakeholders and regulators alike.
How Footprint Intelligence Helps Navigate the EmpCo Era
Implementing EmpCo‑compliant communication requires high‑quality data and reliable evidence — precisely where Footprint Intelligence’s AI‑powered sustainability platform excels:
Automated Data Collection & Validation: Our AI agents streamline collection of emissions, life cycle data, and third‑party verification evidence — reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.
Contextual Claim Support: AI agents help map sustainability performance data to specific claims, ensuring that communications are grounded in verifiable metrics compliant with EmpCo expectations.
Scalable Governance: AI agents help maintain up‑to‑date evidence repositories, audit trails, and documentation that support both internal teams and external audits.
By bridging the divide between sustainability performance and credible communication, Footprint Intelligence helps corporate sustainability managers not just comply with EmpCo — but embed compliance into everyday workflows and strategic decision‑making. This transforms what could be a regulatory burden into a compass for transparent, trust‑building sustainability leadership.
EmpCo is here — and your communication strategy should be ready. Footprint Intelligence helps ensure it is.
