Green claims require a solid foundation

The food industry is right in the middle of it: growing pressure to show what companies are actually doing on sustainability. And it goes far beyond polished statements. Consumers are paying attention, investors as well, and regulators even more so. That is why DNV has released a guide that helps companies strengthen the substantiation of their green claims.

Green claims under scrutiny

Green Claims refer to statements about environmental impact or environmental benefits. They appear in packaging, product development, supply chains and broader corporate strategies. And these claims do not go unnoticed. “Green Claims, uitspraken over de milieu-impact of milieuvoordelen van een bedrijf, staan nu centraal in de aandacht van consumenten, investeerders en toezichthouders.”

This creates opportunities, but it brings risks too. Companies that stay vague or cannot substantiate a claim run the risk, according to DNV, of investigations, reputational damage and a loss of trust. Those effects can influence relationships with customers and other stakeholders for a long time.

In the guide, DNV outlines the benefits that credible claims can bring. Think of customer loyalty, improved market access, cost advantages and added differentiation in a crowded market. At the same time, the guide explains how oversight on sustainability continues to increase due to new regulations, critical regulators, investors and public expectations.

Support for difficult decisions

Many organisations face the same obstacles when formulating environmental claims. DNV shows how companies can address these challenges. The five-pillar model helps structure and substantiate claims step by step, preventing fragmented communication.

The publication also includes a checklist that allows companies to assess whether certain claims may carry a greenwashing risk. Straightforward, but useful—especially for teams that need to quickly verify whether their information is accurate and complete.

Dnv.com