ESFC EmpCo Transparency Portal

Since 27 September 2026, EU rules (Directive (EU) 2024/825, "EmpCo") only allow sustainability labels on products that are based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities. This portal shows how the ESFC EmpCo scheme works for climate labels on food and drink, who takes part, and how to join.

Who are you?

I show climate labels

Restaurants, caterers, retailers, brands

I calculate climate footprints

Footprint providers and in-house LCA teams

I want to check a label

Consumers, journalists, authorities

The Certification Scheme

All footprint providers must meet the same minimum requirements: ISO 14067 product carbon footprint rules, an independent scientific review, fixed claim and label rules, quality checks and controlled updates. Above that minimum, each footprint provider chooses its own method, database, unit and rating, and declares them publicly.

ESFC EmpCo Certification Scheme Rulebook

Version v1.1

Download PDF

Rulebook v1.1 is the basis for the first certifications under the scheme. Working Group approval is in progress and expected in early November 2026. Scientific Committee approval is pending; the Scientific Committee is being set up.

ESFC EmpCo Scheme Use Fee Schedule

Version v1.0

Download PDF

Scheme principles

Directive-aligned

Built for the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (2024/825) requirements for sustainability labels.

Methodology-neutral

Open to any footprint provider or in-house team; no prescribed software, database or rating.

Science-based minimum

Every method follows ISO 14067 and passes an independent 11-question scientific review.

Independently verified

Accepted auditors validate each method and spot check live labels every year.

Clear label rules

Fixed wording and display rules, binding for every trader through their footprint provider's terms.

Transparent

Methods, thresholds, updates and status are public here, and anyone can file a complaint.

Independent auditors (Conformity Assessment Bodies, CABs)

ESFC does not certify anyone itself. Assessments are carried out by independent CABs that ESFC has accepted under Section 2.4a of the Rulebook. A CAB works to ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065 (with ISO 14064-3 for individual engagements), or to ISO/IEC 17065 where its scope covers the relevant activities. Accreditation under Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 is not required; where a CAB holds it, it serves as evidence. The registry shows for each pathway whether its CAB is accredited for this scope.

ESFC owns and governs the scheme but does not certify. Independent CABs assess providers and claims. Trader licences are issued by the certified provider; where a provider does not offer trader licensing, ESFC's licensing organ issues them. A CAB never issues the licences it audits.

How certification works

Stage	When	What happens
Initial validation	once	The auditor reviews the footprint provider's method (ISO 14067 alignment and an 11-question scientific review) and its calculation system. Result: validation statement.
Annual verification	every year	The auditor spot checks a sample of live labels and reviews changes to the system. Result: verification statement to ESFC and the footprint provider.
Renewal	every 3 years	Focused reassessment with a larger sample.
Trigger review	when needed	Focused check after major changes or significant issues.

All stages are carried out by an ESFC-accepted auditor under one agreement signed by the footprint provider, the auditor and ESFC.

Registered footprint providers

See which footprint providers have registered, their declared methods and their current status.

View registry

Complaints and Feedback

Any party with a legitimate interest may submit feedback or file a formal complaint about an environmental assessment claim made under the ESFC EmpCo Scheme.

You can also email us at info@esf-coalition.org with the subject "EmpCo Complaint" or "EmpCo Feedback".

How we handle complaints

Acknowledgement within 5 working days.
Within 20 working days we tell you whether the complaint falls within the scope of the scheme.
We investigate in proportion to the complaint and inform you of the outcome and the action taken.
If non-compliance is found, corrective action or suspension follows under Section 11 of the Rulebook.
Your identity stays confidential unless you agree or the law requires disclosure.

Note: Individual complaint records are confidential. Anonymised complaint statistics will be published in the annual stakeholder report.

Appeals

Anyone subject to a non-compliance finding, suspension or withdrawal can appeal to ESFC within 20 calendar days of receiving the decision. An independent reviewer assesses the appeal, and ESFC aims to decide within 40 calendar days. A suspension stays in effect during the appeal. The appeal process does not affect the right to use national or EU legal remedies.

Registry updates

Suspensions are shown in the registry within 2 working days of taking effect. Past status, including suspensions and withdrawals, remains publicly visible.

Consultation and changes

How the scheme changes

Until formal adoption, the Rulebook is refined together with the ESFC Working Group. After formal adoption, changes follow these rules:

Editorial changes (typos, formatting, clarifications): no consultation, recorded in the changelog.
Minor changes (procedural adjustments, updated references): registered stakeholders are notified and have 30 days to comment.
Major changes (new or changed requirements, claim scope or certification conditions): public consultation of at least 60 days, published responses to all substantive comments, ESFC member approval, and at least 6 months notice before taking effect. Existing certified pathways are not invalidated retroactively.
Pilot phase: until the first full renewal of a certified pathway, ESFC may adopt a major change through a faster procedure with at least 14 days for comments, provided it does not reduce rights or add obligations for parties already in the scheme.

Changes to an individual provider's pathway follow Section 12 of the Rulebook. Changes to a pathway's rating thresholds, benchmark or functional unit require a public consultation of at least 60 days coordinated by ESFC.

Version history

Version	Date	Type	Summary
v1.1			Pilot release, basis for first certifications
v1.0	21 Aug 2026		Adopted for pilot use
v0.5	14 Aug 2026	Major	AR6 GWP characterisation factor requirements (§5.5), Layer 2 Q9 (biogenic carbon) and Q10 (LCA aggregation), Q11 (data quality assessment), updated benchmark representativeness requirements (§6), two applicant pathway registrations
v0.4	29 Jul 2026	Major	Consolidated scheme structure, trader binding clauses (Annex B), CAB framework, claim wording rules
v0.3	Jun 2026	Major	Two-layer scientific review process, provider pathway template (Annex A)
v0.2	Apr 2026	Major	Scheme structure, fee schedule
v0.1	Feb 2026	Initial	Initial draft for Working Group review