Criteria for certification schemes

1. A recognised certification scheme shall meet the following criteria: it is open under transparent, fair and non-discriminatory terms to all economic operators willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements and subject to multi-stakeholder governance; verification and monitoring of compliance is objective, based on international, Union or national standards, requirements and procedures and carried out independently from the relevant economic operator; it includes sufficient requirements and procedures to ensure the competence and independence of the verifiers responsible; it includes requirements to ensure an audit-report established at the site level. 2. The requirements for certification shall include at least: requirements ensuring environmentally sustainable practices, including requirements ensuring environmental management and impact mitigation in the following environmental risk categories: air, including air pollution such as greenhouse gas emissions; water, including seabed and marine environment, and water pollution, water use, water quantities, taking into account flooding or droughts, and access to water; soil, including soil pollution, soil erosion, land use and land degradation; biodiversity, including damage to habitats, wildlife, flora and ecosystems, including ecosystem services; hazardous substances; noise and vibration; plant safety; energy use; waste and residues; requirements for ensuring socially responsible practices, including respect for human rights and labour rights including the community life of indigenous peoples; requirements for ensuring business integrity and transparency including requirements to apply sound management of financial, environmental and social matters and anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-13 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.