EFLA's 2026 Workshop "Methodologies that matter: certification of environmental claims"
On 16 June 2026, EFLA will host its in-person workshop, “Methodologies that Matter: Certification of Environmental Claims”, at AT60 – House of the Austrian Economy (Avenue de Cortenbergh 60, 1000 Brussels) in Brussels, Belgium.
Programme
The workshop will provide an overview of the regulatory and technical framework governing certification of environmental claims. It will address key aspects of accreditation, including Regulation 765/08 and ISO 17065, as well as the European Commission’s 2010 Notice on the different types of certification schemes.
The discussion will further explore the practical challenges faced by certification bodies, including the criteria for third-party verification and the distinctions between product quality and quality system controls, as well as between different certification approaches. Particular attention will be given to recent regulatory developments, including the EmpCo Directive, and their implications for certification practices.
In addition, the programme will examine the relationship between certification schemes and associated trademarks, including the potential impact of new regulatory requirements. It will also present approaches to sustainability labelling methodologies, illustrated through practical examples.
Networking Dinner
A networking dinner will take place on the evening before the workshop, on 15 June 2026, at The 8 - Rooftop & Cocktail Bar (Rue du Midi 135, 1000 Brussels) in Brussels, Belgium.
Speakers
(here lined up in alphabetical order)
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Ana Pintó Fernández, Policy Officer – Unit B4 (Sustainable Products), Directorate B: Competitive Circular Economy & Clean Industrial Policy, DG Environment, European Commission.
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Bregt Raus, Managing Associate at Altius.
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Emanuele Riva, Vice General Manager and Director of the Dept. of Certification and Inspection of Accredia - The Italian Accreditation Body, and Vice Chair of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated.
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Natacha Sautereau, Agro-economist and Head of the Sustainability and Transition Department at ITAB.
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Laure-Lou Tremblay, Policy Analyst at the Institute for European Environmental Policy, and author of the 2025 Report for the European Commission: Promoting Closer-to-Nature Forestry in the EU Through Voluntary Forest Certification Schemes.
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Additional expert speakers will be joining the programme, stay tuned for updates.