With the EmpCo Directive, the European Union is establishing a new legal framework for environmental communication. In future, environmental and sustainability claims are to be more closely linked to verifiable evidence in order to prevent misleading advertising claims. As of 27 September 2026, these requirements are binding. They are aimed at all businesses that offer products or services to consumers (B2C). For the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sector, energy efficiency, climate protection and sustainability are among the key selling points when marketing products and solutions. In future, companies will need to pay even closer attention to how they communicate these benefits and the basis on which their statements are made.
Environmental claims will need to be backed up by evidence in future
Environmental claims regarding climate or sustainability benefits should only be made if they are substantiated and verifiable. For manufacturers, specialist firms and suppliers, this means presenting technical characteristics, performance data and environmental impacts in a much more specific manner than has often been the case to date.
Technical indicators will become more important
Communication relating to refrigerants will also require special attention. Environmental claims regarding their properties must be clearly substantiated and verifiable. This places more focus on a nuanced assessment of the actual impact of solutions and systems. Technical indicators and reliable benchmarks will take on greater importance.
Information on energy efficiency and potential savings must also be based on verifiable evidence. As the actual performance of many refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems depends on their specific operating conditions, it will become increasingly important to provide a transparent overview of these conditions.
Certifications will come into focus
The directive also covers the use of environmental labels and sustainability labels. Labelling should therefore be based on recognised certification schemes and be clear to consumers.
Building trust through fact-based communication
The new requirements will increase the workload involved in testing and documentation within marketing, product communication and customer information. At the same time, the directive gives companies the opportunity to raise the profile of their technical expertise and demonstrable benefits. Fact-based communication can also help to build trust and strengthen credibility with customers and market partners.
Source and further information: „VDKF technical paper by Christoph Brauneis on the EmpCo Directive and its implications for the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sectors. Published in KKA – Kälte Klima Aktuell.“
