28 March 2025

Empowering consumers through credible claims: where ISCC fits in 

In recent years, sustainability has become a powerful driver of consumer behaviour. People are not only seeking more sustainably produced products; they’re demanding transparency and trust. But with a growing number of green claims on the market, how can consumers be sure what’s real and what’s just marketing? 

This is the challenge the European Union aims to address with the Empowering Consumers Directive (EU) 2024/825. This new regulation marks a significant shift in how companies communicate claims to end consumers. Specifically, it amends the existing Unfair Commercial Practices Directive to tackle unsubstantiated “green” claims and combat greenwashing. 

The Directive makes one thing clear: only environmental labels that are based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities will be allowed. 

This is a major milestone in ensuring the credibility of green claims and promoting consumer confidence across the EU. 

For brand owners already covered under ISCC, the good news is that the our system already aligns closely with the new requirements. Here’s how ISCC meets the key conditions outlined in the Empowering Consumers Directive. 

How is ISCC in line with the requirements outlined in the Empowering Consumers Directive? 

Requirement 1:

“Certification scheme” means a third-party verification scheme that certifies that a product, process or business complies with certain requirements, that allows for the use of a corresponding sustainability label, and the terms of which, including its requirements, are publicly available.” 

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is an independent, multi-stakeholder initiative and leading certification system that certifies compliance with defined sustainability standards. Only companies that meet these criteria – verified by an independent Certification Body – receive an ISCC certificate. All guidelines, requirements, and procedures are publicly accessible. 

To further support transparency and understanding, the ISCC Academy offers expert-led training courses and webinars designed for auditors, system users, and other stakeholders. 

“The scheme is open under transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory terms to all traders willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements.” 

Operating in over 130 countries, the ISCC certification system is accessible to all traders who are committed to meeting its standards. Every supply chain participant must be certified or licensed to ensure the traceability of certified materials. ISCC maintains publicly available databases for valid certificates and licensed finished goods. 

Importantly, ISCC’s fee structure is designed with fairness in mind, proportionate to the size and turnover of companies, ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not left behind. 

“The scheme’s requirements are developed by the scheme owner in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders.” 

ISCC’s strength lies in its collaborative foundation. The ISCC Association (ISCC e.V.) oversees governance and strategic development of ISCC certification and is composed of a diverse mix of stakeholders from industry, academia, NGOs, government, and research. Regular input from Regional and Technical Stakeholder Committees ensures the system evolves with broad-based expertise and accountability. 

“The scheme sets out procedures for dealing with non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements and provides for the withdrawal or suspension of the use of the sustainability label by the trader in case of non-compliance.” 

ISCC’s commitment to integrity is clear. A publicly available list of withdrawn and fake certificates and excluded system users– along with non-compliant points of origin – is maintained through the ISCC certificate database. The ISCC Integrity Program further strengthens oversight through monitoring, whistleblower investigations, integrity assessment, market analysis, and audits. 

Requirement 5:

“The monitoring of a trader’s compliance with the scheme’s requirements is subject to an objective procedure and is carried out by a third party whose competence and independence from both the scheme owner and the trader are based on international, Union or national standards and procedures.” 

ISCC certification is based on independent third-party audits conducted annually by accredited Certification Bodies. These bodies meet international ISO standards, regulations, and additional ISCC-specific requirements. To ensure audit quality and consistency, ISCC also conducts Integrity Audits on the Certification Bodies themselves. 

Validation for the ISCC System and Participating Brand Owners 

For brand owners covered under ISCC, the Empowering Consumers Directive doesn’t require a fundamental shift, it validates the robust systems already in place. As the EU moves to tighten expectations around sustainability claims, ISCC’s transparency, credibility, and commitment to continuous improvement offer a strong foundation for compliance and for earning consumer trust.