InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The European Union will implement stricter sustainability communication rules under the Consumer Empowerment Directive (EmpCo) starting September 27, 2026, aiming to curb greenwashing and enhance consumer protection.

The regulation marks a significant shift toward greater transparency and accountability in environmental claims, including those related to palm oil-based products.

According to an analysis by RSPO officials Angéline Camus and Ruben Brunsveld, the directive will fundamentally change how companies communicate sustainability to consumers.

“This directive will enable consumers to make more informed decisions while protecting them from misleading environmental claims,” they noted in a statement quote by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday (April 1, 2026).

The regulation focuses on two key aspects: stricter sustainability labeling requirements and tighter restrictions on generic environmental claims.

All sustainability labels in the EU market must now be verified by third parties and meet strict governance and transparency standards. While RSPO certification is expected to comply, there will be no formal pre-approval mechanism, and compliance will be assessed by national authorities after implementation.

The directive also restricts the use of broad terms such as “sustainable” unless companies can provide specific and verifiable environmental performance data.

“Companies must focus on specific environmental attributes rather than generic claims,” the analysis stated.

RSPO has advised its members to use factual claims such as “RSPO Certified” instead of general sustainability terms to reduce compliance risks in the EU market. (T2)