EmpCo Conformity Declaration

GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION |  EMPCO CONFORMITY DECLARATION

Green Globe Certification

Last updated:  August 6th, 2026

Published by:  Green Globe Certification

About this declaration

Directive (EU) 2024/825 ("EmpCo") sets requirements for the use of sustainability labels in consumer-facing communication within the EU. From 27 September 2026, such labels may only be used where the underlying certification scheme (1) is subject to independent monitoring of compliance, (2) is transparent, (3) is based on objective, verifiable criteria, and (4) is governed independently of the certified entities.

This page sets out how the Green Globe Certification scheme meets these requirements. It applies to Green Globe's use of its certification label in consumer-facing communication throughout the EU, regardless of where a certified business or Green Globe itself is located.

1.  Declaration of Conformity

Green Globe Certification hereby declares that the Green Globe Certification Program is operated as an independent sustainability certification system designed to assess, verify and recognize organizations that meet defined environmental, social, cultural heritage and sustainability performance requirements.

The Green Globe Certification label is awarded only following a conformity assessment against published certification criteria, performed by an independent third-party assessor.

This declaration is published to support transparency and compliance with applicable consumer protection and sustainability communication requirements, including the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo).

2.  Certification Scheme Owner

Organization:  Green Certifications Inc. dba Green Globe Certification

Head Office:  1223 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 925, Santa Monica, CA 90403, U.S.A.

Website:  www.greenglobe.com

3.  Purpose of the Certification Scheme

The Green Globe Certification Scheme provides independent assessment and recognition of sustainability performance for the travel and tourism industry, covering hotels and resorts, tourism operators, attractions, convention centers, and tourism supply chain organizations.

The current publicly available standard is the Green Globe Certification Standard for Hotels & Resorts, version V.2.3, comprising 44 core criteria supported by over 400 compliance indicators, organized under four themes: Sustainable Management, Social/Economic, Cultural Heritage, and Environment.

The Green Globe certification standard originated in the early 1990s following the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where world leaders endorsed Agenda 21 and encouraged sustainable development within the tourism sector. Shortly after the summit, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) developed the Green Globe program as a framework for tourism organizations to measure and reduce their environmental impacts.

The Green Globe Standard has been developed over more than two decades by tourism industry experts, destination communities, and sustainability researchers. The Standard continues to be updated yearly per its formal review cycle. Recent reporting highlights the ongoing application of the Green Globe Standard in areas such as biodiversity conservation, coastal protection research, carbon footprint reduction, and long-term sustainability strategy execution by certified properties worldwide.

4.  Certification Standard

Certification is granted only where an organization demonstrates conformity with the Green Globe Sustainability Standard. The standard includes requirements relating to:

Environmental Management

  • Energy efficiency

  • Water stewardship

  • Waste reduction

  • Climate action

  • Biodiversity protection

Social Responsibility

  • Employee wellbeing

  • Community engagement

  • Human rights

  • Diversity and inclusion

Cultural Heritage

  • Protection of local culture

  • Indigenous engagement

  • Heritage conservation

Sustainable Governance

  • Sustainability management systems

  • Monitoring and reporting

  • Continuous improvement

5.  Independent Verification Process

Certification is verified through mandatory audits by accredited third-party auditors. An onsite audit is required in the member's first year of certification, followed by alternating onsite and desktop audits in subsequent years. Auditors are professional environmental or sustainability consultants who complete Green Globe auditor training and accreditation and are registered annually; their role is to provide independent, third-party verification that certification criteria have been met. Certification is confirmed annually and requires that more than 50% of the relevant indicators be achieved, including all mandatory indicators.

Certification is only awarded following an independent assessment process consisting of:

1.  Certification application review

2.  Documentation assessment

3.  Evidence verification

4.  Third-party audit or assessment

5.  Certification decision

6.  Annual surveillance review

7.  Recertification assessment

Certification decisions are made independently from commercial and marketing functions.

6.  Sustainability Label Governance

The Green Globe Certification label is a protected sustainability label governed by documented certification rules. The certification program includes:

✓  Published certification criteria

✓  Documented assessment procedures

✓  Independent verification mechanisms

✓  Certification decision controls

✓  Complaint and appeals procedures

✓  Periodic review of certification requirements

✓  Ongoing surveillance of certified entities

7.  Transparency Commitment

Green Globe Certification publicly discloses:

  • Certification criteria

  • Assessment methodology

  • Certification requirements

  • Rules governing use of the certification label

  • Certification status of participating organizations

Certified organizations may only use the Green Globe Certification label while maintaining valid certification status.

8.  Impartiality Statement

Green Globe Certification maintains policies and procedures to ensure impartiality and independence in certification decisions. Certification personnel are required to:

  • Avoid conflicts of interest

  • Declare potential conflicts

  • Operate under documented impartiality requirements

  • Follow established certification procedures

9.  Monitoring and Enforcement

Green Globe Certification reserves the right to:

  • Conduct surveillance reviews

  • Request corrective actions

  • Investigate complaints

  • Suspend certification

  • Withdraw certification

  • Require removal of certification claims where non-conformities are identified

10.  EmpCo Compliance Statement

Green Globe Certification confirms that the Green Globe Certification label is operated as a sustainability certification scheme supported by documented assessment criteria, independent verification procedures, ongoing monitoring, and transparent governance arrangements. The certification label is not self-declared by certified organizations and may only be used by organizations that have successfully completed the Green Globe conformity assessment process and maintain valid certification status.

11.  Public Assurance Statement

  • Green Globe Certification confirms that:

  • The certification scheme operates under a documented certification framework.

  • Sustainability claims associated with Green Globe Certification are supported through an independent conformity assessment process.

  • Certification is granted only following verification against published sustainability criteria.

  • Certified organizations are subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic reassessment.

12.  Concluding Remark

This declaration demonstrates Green Globe Certification's commitment to operating a credible, transparent, and independently verified sustainability certification scheme in accordance with the principles established under Directive (EU) 2024/825 (EmpCo). Through published certification criteria, independent third-party conformity assessment, ongoing surveillance, and impartial governance, Green Globe ensures that its certification label represents verified sustainability performance rather than self-declared environmental claims.

By making this declaration publicly available, Green Globe Certification provides consumers, certified organizations, regulators, and other stakeholders with a clear description of the governance and verification mechanisms supporting the Green Globe Certification label. Green Globe will continue to review and update this declaration as necessary to reflect future developments in applicable legislation, accreditation requirements, and certification program governance.

A circular logo with the earth at the center, displaying continents including North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. The logo has the words 'GREEN GLOB' at the top and 'CERTIFIED' at the bottom, both curved along the circle's edge in white uppercase letters.