Empowering Consumers DirectiveEmpCo
EmpCo bans generic eco-labels, unverified sustainability claims and offset-based 'carbon neutral' claims. Every green claim on your listings is exposed. Regonance flags the language that needs rework before the deadline.
The concrete categories in scope
Any seller making environmental or sustainability claims — fashion, cosmetics, home, food-adjacent. DTC brands leaning on 'eco', 'green', 'sustainable', 'carbon neutral'. Agencies auditing client claim language at scale.
What EmpCo obliges you to do
No generic environmental claims
Terms like 'eco-friendly', 'green' and 'sustainable' used without demonstrated, recognised and verifiable excellent environmental performance are banned.
No unverified or future claims
Offset-based 'carbon neutral' product claims and unproven future-performance pledges are restricted — claims need verifiable evidence.
Recognised labels only
Sustainability labels must be based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities. Self-created badges are banned.
Key dates and what they trigger
Directive in force
EmpCo entered into force across the EU.
National transposition
Member states transpose into national law ahead of enforcement.
Enforcement begins
National measures apply. Every consumer-facing claim live on or after this date is exposed.
From exposed to audit-ready
Six readiness checks Regonance turns from gap to source-traced for EmpCo.
What the platform does for EmpCo
Free EmpCo checker for the single-page risk read; full per-claim audit on Pro and Agency.
Scan every consumer-facing claim
Product pages, packaging copy, ads, social posts and PDFs — classified against the six banned-practice categories with severity.
Capture the evidence file
For each retained claim: the scheme reference, methodology and data behind it — defensible to a market-surveillance authority.
Generate the remediation list
Per claim: substantiate, qualify, replace with a recognised scheme, or remove — sequenced by exposure.
The gaps we see most often on EmpCo
- Generic 'eco / green / sustainable' claims without substantiation
- Offset-based 'carbon neutral' product claims
- Unrecognised sustainability labels or self-created eco-badges
- Unverifiable future-performance pledges (e.g. 'net zero by 2030')
- Legally-required attributes (e.g. 'BPA-free' on baby bottles) presented as a selling point
Every EmpCo finding is source-traced — what the gap is, where it came from in your inputs, and the remediation step. A readiness report, not a verdict.
EmpCo questions, answered
What does EmpCo actually ban?
Generic environmental claims without substantiation, offset-based carbon-neutral product claims, unrecognised eco-labels and unverifiable future pledges.
When does enforcement start?
National measures apply from 27 September 2026. Reworking claim language before then is the safe path.
Can I still say my product is sustainable?
Only with specific, substantiated, verifiable evidence — not as a generic standalone claim.
What about 'carbon neutral'?
Product-level claims based primarily on offsetting are banned. Claims must reflect actual product or value-chain performance.
Does Regonance rewrite my claims for me?
It flags non-compliant language with source-traced findings and guidance; you make the edits. Informational guidance, not legal advice.
Get an audit snapshot for EmpCo
One workspace. Eight EU regulations. Source-traced findings, defensible reports.
AI-assisted informational guidance, not legal advice. Validate scope and obligations with a qualified advisor before acting; consult the consolidated text on EUR-Lex for the authoritative legal source.