← Back to knowledge baseEU GREEN CLAIMS · 2024/825
Sustainability labels and certification: when can an online shop display a label?
The new rules prohibit sustainability labels that are not based on a certification scheme and have not been established by a public authority.
What is a sustainability label?
A voluntary public or private trust mark, quality mark or equivalent that distinguishes a product, process or business by environmental or social characteristics.
What does a certification scheme require?
The scheme needs transparent conditions and objective compliance monitoring by an independent third party. Creating your own green badge is therefore not enough.
Practical check
Keep the scheme terms, certification status and validity of every label used. Also check that marketing copy does not promise more than the label actually covers.
Directive (EU) 2024/825 · European Commission
General information; not legal advice.