GreenCircle Certified Certification Program
and the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo)

1. Independent Third-Party Verification

GreenCircle operates as an independent, third-party certification body. Certification is granted only after a company's environmental claims are evaluated against documented certification requirements through an audit-based process. This structure is intended to support EmpCo's emphasis on claims being backed by independent verification rather than self-declaration.

2. Publicly Available Certification Requirements

GreenCircle's Certification Scheme and applicable Audit Plans are published on our website, setting out the certification requirements and audit procedures that apply. Certification outcomes are also made available through GreenCircle's online certificate database, unless confidentiality has been requested. This public documentation is intended to support the transparency EmpCo expects of certification schemes. GreenCircle provides its services on a non-discriminatory basis in accordance with its Terms and Conditions.

3. Accredited, Impartial Certification Body

GreenCircle is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the ISO/IEC 17065 International Standard for product certification bodies, and is subject to annual surveillance assessments by ANAB. ANAB accreditation is recognized through international arrangements established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The ISO framework supports the independence, impartiality, and technical competence expected of certification bodies under EmpCo.

4. Procedures for Addressing Non-Compliance

GreenCircle's certification scheme sets out procedures for evaluating and addressing instances where certified products or operations no longer conform to applicable requirements, which may include corrective action requests, suspension, or withdrawal of certification.

5. Ongoing, Independent Monitoring

GreenCircle certification includes surveillance and recertification activities intended to verify continued conformity with applicable certification requirements over time. This is intended to provide an independent, ongoing mechanism for monitoring certified claims, consistent with EmpCo's emphasis on substantiation and continued oversight.