ISO 14021 – Self-Declared environmental claims 

TYPE II ENVIRONMENTAL LABELS AND DECLARATIONS 

Environmental claims are a powerful marketing tool, increasingly used in corporate communications to strengthen market positioning and competitive advantage. 

 

Self-declared environmental claims are characterized by a considerable degree of flexibility, both in terms of their scope of application (the entire product or its packaging), the communication methods used (photographs, statements, etc.), the environmental characteristics being claimed, and the entity responsible for issuing the claim (self-declarations). 

If not properly formulated and used, self-declared environmental claims may result in greenwashing, leading to a loss of credibility for both the claim itself and the organization. Environmental communication must therefore be based on clear and well-defined rules and supported by scientific evidence, enabling companies to avoid misleading or inaccurate communications. 

ISO 14021 is the international standard that provides guidance for the correct formulation of self-declared environmental claims by the manufacturer of a product (or service) and defines the requirements for accurate environmental communication, ensuring that claims are accurate, verifiable, relevant, not misleading, and do not lead to misinterpretation. 

WHAT IS THE ISO 14021 STANDARD? 

 

The ISO 14021 standard establishes the requirements for the proper formulation of self-declared environmental claims by an organization. Such claims can be verified by an independent third-party body to assess their consistency, reliability, and the accuracy of the information communicated externally. 

 

To support companies that choose to undertake an environmental communication journey, Bureau Veritas has developed a verification service designed to help organizations communicate their environmental performance correctly. 

Organizations wishing to make a self-declared environmental claim in accordance with ISO 14021 must: 

 

  • Identify the environmental characteristic they wish to communicate; 

  • Define, within a Technical Specification, the process control methods underpinning the declared environmental characteristic (procurement, mass balance, supplier qualification, production plans, etc.); 

  • Prepare supporting documentation capable of substantiating, in as much detail as possible, the declared environmental characteristics. 

Environmental characteristics that may be self-declared include, for example: Recycled content, reduced energy consumption and resource use, reduced water consumption, use of electricity from renewable sources, bio-based content, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 

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EMPOWERING CONSUMERS DIRECTIVE: NEW RULES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS 

The new regulatory framework affects all sectors and all products on the market, including products already in circulation. 

 

This is not only about avoiding penalties, but also about rethinking environmental communication strategies, governance, and processes, moving from generic claims to assertions that are demonstrable, verifiable, and independently verified. 

 

Bureau Veritas supports companies throughout the entire compliance journey, offering an integrated, independent, and internationally recognized approach. Through ISO 14021, organizations can have specific environmental claims verified or obtain verification of future environmental commitments (such as climate targets, reduction objectives, and multi-year action plans), for which independent verification is mandatory. 

HOW TO OBTAIN ISO 14021 CERTIFICATION? 

 

The third-party verification process conducted by Bureau Veritas consists of several stages: 

  1. Technical Specification Review 
    Verification of the actual verifiability of the declared environmental claim; 
    Verification that the prepared Technical Specification contains all required information; Verification of the clarity and completeness of the information and procedures governing the declared environmental claim.

  2. Process Verification 
    Verification of the consistency between the system described in the Technical Specification and the specific facility or operation; 
    Verification of the implementation of the Technical Specification requirements. 

  3. Verification of Supporting Documentation 
    Verification of the availability of documents necessary to substantiate the environmental claim; 
    Verification of the mass balance approach (where applicable); 
    Verification of any other relevant supporting documentation.

The output of the Bureau Veritas verification process is a Verification Statement valid for 3 years. An annual surveillance activity is required to maintain the validity of the verification statement.

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISO 14021 CERTIFICATION 

  • What is meant by an “Environmental Declaration”?

    An Environmental Declaration refers to any commercial communication intended to suggest or imply the lower or reduced environmental impact of a product and/or service. Environmental declarations can take different forms, including claims, labels, logos, and symbols. 

  • Must an Environmental Declaration be supported by evidence?

    Yes. Environmental claims must be supported by objective, verifiable, and adequately documented information. 

  • What types of claims can be submitted for verification?

    Examples include claims related to recycled content, bio-based content, the use of renewable energy, emissions reduction, and other specific environmental characteristics of a product or service.