Making green claims that stand up to scrutiny: measurement and communication
The EmpCo Directive prohibits green claims that are not properly substantiated. But what does that actually mean? It starts with a rigorous measurement of your environmental impact – and only ends once that measurement has been translated into a claim that is factually accurate, legally defensible and credible. In this article, we explore how you can build that foundation.
Today, companies making claims about CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, recyclability or any other environmental attribute must be able to demonstrate that those claims are based on methodologically sound measurement.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) maps a product's environmental impact across its entire lifespan: from raw material extraction through to end-of-life processing. It is the most robust instrument available for substantiating a green claim under EmpCo.
Revised ESRS in final consultation: what changes for your next sustainability report?
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission published the revised ESRS for public consultation, open until 3 June 2026. The substantive choices have been made, and they make reporting considerably simpler: over 60% fewer mandatory data points, a reporting burden more than 70% lower, and greater freedom to determine what is relevant. For Wave 2 companies, this means the rules of the game are settled and financial years 2025 and 2026 are crucial to prepare for the mandatory reporting on financial year 2027.
EFRAG delivered its technical advice on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) in December 2025, and the European Commission has developed this into a final proposal. The simplifications go beyond fewer data points; they also affect how and what you report. What exactly do the revised ESRS change? And what remains intact despite all the amendments?
LSRS: the new standard reshaping CO₂ accounting, from agriculture to biofuels
If your business processes food, uses biomass, purchases agricultural raw materials or reports CO₂ removals, a significant change is on its way. From 1 January 2027, the Land Sector and Removals Standard (LSRS) will apply as a mandatory international standard for carbon accounting – and it brings considerably more than an additional reporting layer.
Do you know how EUDR-ready you are? Now is the time to run a baseline assessment
With the publication of the Commission’s simplification package on 4 May 2026, the European Union's direction on the EUDR is now set. The deadline of 30 December 2026 stands firm and the key substantive requirements remain unchanged. Where do you stand, and what steps do you need to take to be compliant by the end of December? A baseline assessment answers these questions. Pantarein carries out this assessment for businesses looking to (re)start their EUDR process.
The Commission’s EUDR simplification package: what's in it and what does it mean for you?
On 4 May 2026 the European Commission published its EUDR simplification package. Many businesses were hoping for further easing or another postponement, but neither is forthcoming. Overall, the fundamental urgency of the EUDR changes little. The obligations remain intact, but the administrative burden is reduced.
Stricter rules for green claims are on their way: is your communication ready?
On 27 September 2026 the European EmpCo Directive enters into force, introducing new rules for green product claims. What does EmpCo mean in practice for your packaging, website, advertising and social media? And what are the risks of not meeting the requirements?
Why you need to know your (packaging) suppliers better
The PPWR requires you to be able to demonstrate what your packaging contains and that it meets the applicable requirements. Traceability is therefore no longer an administrative exercise. It is a structural part of your operations.
In ‘What is the PPWR and what does it change for your business’, you can read what the PPWR entails and which businesses it applies to.
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From obligation to opportunity: how to make the most of the PPWR
The PPWR is often seen as an additional cost or a compliance exercise. Bringing your organisation in line with the PPWR will indeed require investment, but that is only half the story. The regulation also contains a clear economic logic: businesses that design their packaging more intelligently pay less and are better positioned in the market.
(In an earlier article we set out what the PPWR entails and which businesses it applies to.)
What is the PPWR and what does it change for your business?
New European packaging rules are on their way – and they apply to virtually every business that uses packaging. Here is what you need to know.
