This briefing paper complements ISEAL’s Recommendations, released in November 2022, which focus on two main areas of legislative reform for the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD):

With the final trilogue on the Green Claims Directive now postponed to 23 June, ISEAL, together with ECOCERT, FTAO, IFOAM Organics Europe, and TIC Council, has issued a joint statement urging EU policymakers to preserve the ambition and integrity of this vital legislation.

The Empowering Consumers Directive, Directive (EU) 2024/825, (ECD) marks a significant development in EU consumer and sustainability policy, aiming to enhance the credibility of environmental claims and strengthen consumer protection against greenwashing. Among its key innovations, the Directive sets requirements for how sustainability labels are used in the EU market, specifically restricting their use unless backed by credible certification schemes or developed by public authorities.
 

There is a strong need for a regulatory approach that allows for product component and whole-of-product claims.

ISEAL, alongside a broad coalition of certification schemes, civil society organisations and businesses, has co-signed a joint letter urging EU policymakers to relaunch trilogue negotiations The EU Green Claims Directive (GCD). 

This document sets out the requirements an organisation must meet to become an ISEAL Community Member and to maintain that status.

As part of its ongoing engagement with EU policymakers, ISEAL submitted targeted input to the European Parliament on the Omnibus Package, specifically addressing the proposed amendments to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).Our recommendations aim to support the directive’s simplification objective while ensuring that effectiveness, inclusiveness, and alignment with international standards are not compromised.

On 22 July, the European Commission launched a

Going further in establishing robust credibility criteria, promoting multistakeholder participation, and supporting clear pre-approval and verification processes for sustainability schemes. This paper reiterates our longstanding support for the Commission’s efforts to introduce more stringent regulations to tackle greenwashing, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. We would also like to share our views on the proposal and suggest some amendments to make it even more effective.

ISEAL sent a letter of welcome and congratulations to Denmark on assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, for the term beginning 1 July 2025. We acknowledge Denmark's timely agenda of "A strong Europe in a changing world," and note a close alignment between the work for a secure, competitive, and green Europe and ISEAL's mission to harness credible sustainability standards for measurable real-world impact.