dhpg outlines new compliance requirements for ESG reporting and marketing

As new EU regulations approach, professional services firm dhpg has provided a technical update on the evolving landscape of ESG compliance. Key focus areas include the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo), which takes effect on September 27, 2026, and updates to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The EmpCo directive introduces strict criteria for sustainability claims and marketing materials. Companies are now required to provide verifiable, quantitative evidence for any environmental or social claims made in consumer-facing communications. dhpg notes that marketing assets, including visuals such as specific colors or symbols, must be carefully audited to ensure they do not imply environmental benefits that the company cannot substantiate. Independent external verification of future-looking statements is now essential.

Regarding the EUDR, the implementation timeline remains fixed, with large and medium-sized enterprises required to comply by December 30, 2026. The European Commission has refined the scope of products subject to the regulation, removing certain goods like used products or printed materials, while adding others. Notably, the compliance burden has been restructured to focus primarily on initial market participants, significantly simplifying duties for downstream distributors.

dhpg advises firms to transition away from unsubstantiated labeling and to implement robust documentation processes. The firm recommends that companies review all current packaging and marketing materials against these standards to ensure compliance before the autumn 2026 deadline.