How SRP prepared for the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive

The EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo) Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/825) introduces new requirements to improve the transparency and credibility of environmental claims and sustainability labels, helping consumers make better-informed purchasing decisions.

SRP is committed to ensuring that the SRP Standard for Rice meets or exceeds these requirements. As many SRP members market products in the European Union, SRP has been actively assessing the implications of the Directive for the SRP programme. We welcome the objectives of the Directive, which are closely aligned with SRP’s long-standing commitment to credible assurance, independent verification, traceability, and transparent communication.

To support our members and retail partners, SRP established a programme of work to review both the technical and communication aspects of the SRP Scheme. This work included an internal assessment by the Secretariat, an independent legal review by European legal experts, and a comprehensive review of our assurance and communication documents.

Based on the assessments completed to date, SRP considers that the SRP Assurance Scheme is aligned with the principles of the Directive. The core elements of the SRP Assurance Scheme that support this alignment include:

-Independent third-party verification by SRP-approved Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs);
-Robust Chain of Custody requirements supported by the RiceTrace traceability platform;
-Clear governance and oversight of the assurance system;
-Procedures for handling non-compliance and grievances; and
-A transparent, multi-stakeholder standard-setting process following internationally recognised good practice.

While these core elements were already in place, the legal review identified opportunities to further strengthen consumer-facing communication. As a result, SRP has undertaken a number of improvements to make the scheme easier to understand for consumers, retailers, and other stakeholders.

Current activities include:

✅ Reviewing the SRP Brand Manual & Claims Guidelines to strengthen guidance on sustainability claims and label use.
✅ Reviewing the SRP Chain of Custody Policy & Standard to ensure that claim eligibility and Chain of Custody models are communicated more clearly.
✅ Developing consumer-friendly webpages explaining:
-What the SRP Verified label means;
-How the SRP Assurance Scheme works;
-How independent verification is conducted;
-How RiceTrace supports traceability; and
-How the Mass Balance Chain of Custody model works in practice.
✅ Reviewing and updating the SRP website to improve transparency and make key scheme information more accessible.
✅ Preparing additional guidance and FAQs to support members, retailers, and brand owners in applying SRP claims consistently and appropriately.

Legally speaking, the SRP Assurance standard is now aligned with the definition of a certification scheme within the meaning of Article 2(r) of the amended Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. It is based on independent third-party verification, its requirements are publicly available, compliance is monitored by a competent and independent third party, and the scheme is open to all traders willing and able to comply. This means that the SRP-Verified Label meets the conditions under which sustainability labels may continue to be displayed under the Directive.

SRP will continue to monitor developments in the implementation of the Directive across EU Member States and will update its guidance as appropriate. Where any changes may affect participating operators or the use of SRP claims and labels, SRP will communicate these well in advance to allow sufficient time for implementation.

How SRP prepared for the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive

Based on the assessments completed to date, SRP considers that the SRP Assurance Scheme is aligned with the principles of the Directive. The core elements of the SRP Assurance Scheme that support this alignment include:

Current activities include:

Our objective

Our Commitment

Related Post

Become an SRP Member

Member login