Green Key and the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive

From 27 September 2026, EU Member States are required to apply the measures implementing Directive (EU) 2024/825 on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo). The Directive introduces stronger protections against misleading environmental claims and aims to ensure that consumers receive clear, credible and verifiable information when making decisions. 

In recent years, Green Key has worked to ensure that its criteria, certification processes, and policies are aligned with these new requirements. From 1 October 2026, Green Key’s new criteria, new processes, and new policies will take effect. 

Requirements for certification schemes 

Green Key has developed its certification scheme in line with EmpCo requirements: 

  1. Open and transparent participation: Green Key is open under transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory terms to all establishments willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements. 

  1. Stakeholder-informed criteria: Green Key’s criteria are developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), as the Green Key scheme owner, in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders. 

  1. Procedures for non-conformity: Green Key has established procedures for addressing non-conformity with its requirements, including provisions for the suspension or withdrawal of certification. 

  1. Independent monitoring: Participating establishments’ conformity with Green Key requirements is monitored through a standardised procedure carried out by independent and competent third-party auditors. The certification scheme has been developed in alignment with ISO/IEC 17065:2012. 

Independent certification 

FEE has appointed Audit Independer Group as Green Key’s independent Certification Body, effective from 1 October 2026. 

Audit Independer will be in charge of the agreements with and assignments of the third-party auditors, the certification decision, the surveillance activities, suspension, and withdrawal and appeals and complaints. FEE remains the owner of the Green Key scheme and is responsible for its overall development, including its criteria. 

External confirmation of alignment with ISO/IEC 17065:2012 

As part of the development of the new certification system, FEE presented the Green Key scheme to DANAK, the Danish national accreditation body, for evaluation against ISO/IEC 17065:2012. 

On 25 September 2026, FEE received confirmation from DANAK that it had evaluated the Green Key certification scheme and found it to be aligned with ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and suitable for accreditation.