{"id":2710,"date":"2026-11-10T12:13:18","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T12:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/sustainability-labels-for-accommodations-in-2026-who-guarantees-what-and-what-does-empco-change\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T12:14:40","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T12:14:40","slug":"sustainability-labels-for-accommodations-in-2026-who-guarantees-what-and-what-does-empco-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/sustainability-labels-for-accommodations-in-2026-who-guarantees-what-and-what-does-empco-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability labels for accommodations in 2026: who guarantees what, and what does EmpCo change?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>A comparison of GSTC 4.0, Green Key 2026\u20132031, the current EU Ecolabel, and the new European draft criteria.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Last update: October 23, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A green leaf on your website, a sustainability label at the front door, a certificate at the reception. It\u2019s meant to convince the traveler they are making a responsible choice. But what does such a label actually guarantee? And is one label better than the other?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In January 2024, we at Fairhospitality.coop published an <a href=\"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/comparison-tourist-sustainable-labels\/\"><u>initial comparison of sustainability labels for the tourism sector<\/u>. A lot has changed since then.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GSTC has released a completely revised standard, Green Key has thoroughly updated its criteria and certification process, and the European Commission is working on a new EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodations.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And something even more important has happened: <strong>since September 27, 2026, the new European rules against greenwashing have been in effect.<\/strong> The so-called EmCo Directive changes not only which labels are credible, but also which environmental claims you can use as an accommodation host.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High time, then, for a new comparison, specifically viewed from the perspective of small-scale accommodations in Flanders.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. First, let&#8217;s clear something up: what is a sustainability label?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all labels are the same. We must distinguish at least three concepts.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A standard<\/strong> is a collection of criteria that a company should meet. It describes what sustainable business operations entail.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A certification system<\/strong> determines how it is checked whether a company meets those criteria, who performs the check, and under what conditions a certificate is awarded or withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A sustainability label<\/strong> is the recognizable mark with which the company communicates that certification to the consumer.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is more important than ever. After all, an excellently developed standard is no guarantee that an accommodation actually meets all requirements. For that, independent and expert monitoring is needed.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Four frameworks under the microscope<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are looking at four versions or systems:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>GSTC Hotel Standard 4.0<\/strong> \u2013 the international reference for sustainable tourism, published on December 30, 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green Key 2026\u20132031<\/strong> \u2013 the new international criteria, applicable to new applications since October 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EU Ecolabel 2017<\/strong> \u2013 the current official European environmental label, with criteria that remain valid for now until the end of 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EU Ecolabel v2<\/strong> \u2013 the new draft criteria from October 2026, for which final approval is still pending.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GSTC occupies a special place here: the standard is an international reference framework on which certification can be based. GSTC does not certify accommodations itself. That is done by authorized certification bodies.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EU Ecolabel 2017 and v2, on the other hand, are two consecutive versions of the same label, not two different labels.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. GSTC 4.0: the international reference becomes more concrete<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In December 2025, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) split its previous Industry Standard into two separate standards: one for hotels and other accommodations, and one for tour operators.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new <strong>GSTC Hotel Standard 4.0<\/strong> is not intended exclusively for large hotels. B&amp;Bs, vacation rentals, and other forms of accommodation also fall within its scope.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The standard is still based on four pillars:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sustainable management:<\/strong> policy, objectives, legislation, monitoring, and continuous improvement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Socio-economic impact:<\/strong> working conditions, local employment, purchasing, and social responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultural heritage:<\/strong> protection and appreciation of local culture, traditions, and heritage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environment:<\/strong> energy, water, greenhouse gases, waste, pollution, and biodiversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What&#8217;s new?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most significant change is the increasing emphasis on measurable indicators.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where previously mainly general criteria were assessed, certification audits under version 4.0 must take place at the level of individual indicators.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, additional performance requirements have been established for, among other things, responsible purchasing, decent work, energy saving, and water saving.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In April 2026, for example, GSTC published a document with sixteen concrete basic requirements, divided over four criteria and twelve indicators.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is an important step. A statement like &#8220;we try to save energy&#8221; is simply much less convincing than demonstrable goals, consumption measurements, and followed-up improvements.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nevertheless, GSTC certification remains primarily process-oriented.<\/strong> It obliges organizations to manage their sustainability systematically, but does not automatically prove that their total environmental impact is lower than that of a comparable accommodation.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does GSTC certification mean?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An accommodation can be certified according to a GSTC standard by an accredited certification body.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important distinction is needed here:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>GSTC-Recognized<\/em> means that another standard has been assessed in terms of content as being in accordance with GSTC requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>GSTC-accredited<\/em> refers to the independent assessment of the competence and reliability of the certification process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A GSTC-recognized standard is therefore not automatically the same as GSTC certification.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the transition to version 4.0, a period applies until December 30, 2028. After that, certifications based on the older Industry Standard v3.0 lose their validity.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our assessment:<\/strong> GSTC is the strongest general reference to investigate whether a sustainability model takes sufficient account of the four dimensions of sustainable tourism. But the scope of the standard and the reliability of the specific certificate must be assessed separately.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Green Key 2026\u20132031: a thorough reform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Key is one of the best-known sustainability labels for tourist accommodations in Flanders.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new 2026\u20132031 criteria are subdivided into different types of companies, including a separate category for small-scale accommodations.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Key covers environmental care as well as themes such as business management, guest engagement, and social responsibility.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What has changed?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Key has not only adjusted its content criteria but also its certification structure.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since October 1, 2026, the certification decision has been made by the independent <strong>Audit Independer Group<\/strong>, while FEE remains the owner of the program.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The checks are carried out by independent auditors, and certificates are now in principle valid for two years.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These changes are not accidental. They were introduced partly to meet the requirements of the new European EmCo Directive.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system was developed in accordance with ISO\/IEC 17065 principles. The Danish accreditation body DANAK confirmed in September 2026 that the Green Key certification scheme is suitable for accreditation. That confirmation is not the same as a formal accreditation certificate for the certification body.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>From one-off performance to a growth path<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Key distinguishes between mandatory criteria (<em>imperative criteria<\/em>) and additional criteria (<em>guideline criteria<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new participant must meet all applicable mandatory criteria. In subsequent certification periods, the required percentage of additional criteria grows, from 0% during the first period to eventually 50%.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advantage is that a host can improve step by step. That makes certification a learning process as well.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But there is a downside: an accommodation can already be certified while it does not yet meet many additional criteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, calculating your own CO\u2082 emissions according to the GHG Protocol, scope 1 and 2, is an additional criterion in the new Green Key system. It is therefore not mandatory for every new participant.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A key strength: biodiversity and local involvement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Key contains concrete obligations regarding biodiversity and nature management. Cooperation with local organizations and social responsibility have also been given a clear place.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This aligns with the Flemish vision <em>Travel to Tomorrow<\/em>, where tourism is not exclusively an economic activity but must also contribute to the place, its residents, and visitors.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our assessment:<\/strong> Green Key offers a broad and structured improvement path. The new independent certification structure strengthens credibility. But here too, possessing the label does not automatically mean that the accommodation has an exceptionally low environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. The current EU Ecolabel: strong on environment, less broad<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EU Ecolabel is the official European environmental label. It exists not only for tourist accommodations but also for numerous products, from cleaning agents to textiles.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For accommodations, the criteria from Decision (EU) 2017\/175 currently apply.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The emphasis is on limiting environmental impact, including through:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Energy efficiency and renewable electricity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water saving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waste prevention and waste separation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduction of harmful chemical substances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental policy, monitoring, and guest information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does the certification work?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An accommodation must meet 22 mandatory criteria and, in addition, obtain sufficient points from 45 additional criteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basic threshold is 20 points, but it is increased when the host, for example, offers meals, opens a garden, or provides recreational facilities.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For small businesses, the certification costs are relatively favorable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another advantage is the legal position: the label was established directly by European legislation and has a clearly defined scope.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where does the current EU Ecolabel fall short?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current label is primarily focused on environmental management.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Themes such as local social added value, social inclusion, and cultural heritage receive much less attention than in the GSTC standard.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, there is no general mandatory maximum for CO\u2082 emissions or energy consumption per guest night.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our assessment:<\/strong> the current EU Ecolabel is a solid environmental label with a clear legal basis, but not a full assessment of all aspects of sustainable or regenerative tourism.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. EU Ecolabel v2: much more ambitious, but also a surprise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Commission is currently working on a fundamental revision of the EU Ecolabel criteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On October 6, 2026, the second draft version appeared, with separate annexes for large hotels, small and medium-sized accommodations, and campsites.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For small B&amp;Bs, <strong>Annex II<\/strong> is particularly relevant. This annex also contains the conditions for micro-accommodations with fewer than five rooms.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to emphasize that this is not yet applicable legislation. The final criteria may still change.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is changing?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal for smaller accommodations contains 27 mandatory and 31 additional criteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of the existing fixed point threshold, hosts must achieve at least 30% of the additional points applicable to their accommodation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For micro-enterprises, the draft also provides a bonus of 25% on the additional points achieved.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new system thus becomes more flexible in point calculation, but also more extensive in the mandatory basic conditions.<\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Biodiversity is given a much more important place<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We find the attention to biodiversity particularly positive.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be five separate mandatory criteria regarding, among other things:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prevention of pesticide use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Addressing invasive alien plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ecological management of gardens and green spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protection of the surrounding nature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limiting light pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For accommodations with a garden, concrete measures are expected that contribute to local biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this, the new EU Ecolabel strongly approaches the broader approach of Green Key on this theme.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More attention to CO\u2082 and measurable performance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new emphasis on monitoring is also positive.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Energy and water consumption must be clearly tracked and reported, including per guest night and room night.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be an additional criterion for calculating the CO\u2082 footprint, using methods such as HCMI, the GHG Protocol, and the European Product Environmental Footprint.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But the CO\u2082 calculation remains optional in the draft.<\/strong> Also, no general maximum emission per guest night is imposed.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EU Ecolabel therefore continues to primarily assess whether the right measures and management systems are in place, rather than exclusively on the final environmental result achieved.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A surprising new requirement: physical accessibility<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The draft criteria also go further on a social level.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, criterion 21 proposes that at least 5% of the rooms, with a minimum of one room, must be accessible to persons with a disability, including bathroom and shower.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is, of course, a valuable social ambition.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But for some existing small accommodations, that requirement can form an insurmountable hurdle. Think of a B&amp;B with two rooms on the upper floor in a building where installing an elevator is technically impossible or entails excessively high costs.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, additional criterion 55 does take into account technical impossibility, heritage protection, and clearly disproportionate costs. In such cases, the host must clearly communicate the limitation and the reasons for it.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it is not yet clear whether this possibility can also be used as an exception to the mandatory room requirement.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is more than a detail in a technical regulation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Inclusion is, after all, broader than physical accessibility alone.<\/strong> An accommodation can also organize care support for people recovering from surgery, make information accessible to people with a visual or hearing impairment, or offer specific services to guests with other support needs.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such initiatives do not replace the need for physical accessibility, but they do contribute to more inclusive tourism.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our preference, therefore, goes to ambitious accessibility requirements combined with a well-founded possibility for deviation for existing small-scale accommodations where physical adjustments are demonstrably not feasible.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our assessment:<\/strong> the EU Ecolabel v2 will become a much more complete sustainability framework. But the new mandatory accessibility requirements could unintentionally exclude certain small accommodations, even when their environmental performance is excellent.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. The four systems side by side<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The table below compares the content emphasis and certification approach. It is not a scientific score or ranking.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Component<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>GSTC Hotel 4.0<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Green Key 2026\u20132031<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>EU Ecolabel 2017<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>EU Ecolabel v2<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Status<\/td><td>Applicable international standard<\/td><td>Applicable certification criteria<\/td><td>Applicable EU criteria<\/td><td>Draft<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sustainable management<\/td><td>Very broad<\/td><td>Broad<\/td><td>Strongly environmental<\/td><td>Strongly environmental<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Energy and water<\/td><td>Measurement and improvement<\/td><td>Technical and organizational requirements<\/td><td>Concrete environmental requirements<\/td><td>Strengthened technical requirements and monitoring<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CO\u2082 calculation<\/td><td>Part of the broader climate framework<\/td><td>Specific calculation additional<\/td><td>No separate mandatory calculation<\/td><td>Specific calculation additional<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Biodiversity<\/td><td>Broadly developed<\/td><td>Concrete obligations<\/td><td>Mainly additional measures<\/td><td>Five mandatory criteria<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Local community<\/td><td>Strong attention<\/td><td>Explicit attention and obligations<\/td><td>Limited<\/td><td>Extensive, mainly additional<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cultural heritage<\/td><td>Separate pillar<\/td><td>Attention within broader operations<\/td><td>Hardly any<\/td><td>No full-fledged separate pillar<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Social inclusion<\/td><td>Broad<\/td><td>Broad responsibility<\/td><td>Limited<\/td><td>Extensive, with physical accessibility as a mandatory requirement<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Independent assessment<\/td><td>Via accredited certification body<\/td><td>External auditor and independent certification decision-maker<\/td><td>Competent body within EU system<\/td><td>Same EU system, after approval<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Focused on small accommodations<\/td><td>Applicable, but extensive<\/td><td>Separate category<\/td><td>One general criteria framework<\/td><td>Separate annex and micro-provisions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What stands out?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The differences between EU Ecolabel and Green Key are becoming smaller.<\/strong> Biodiversity, social aspects, and local involvement in particular are coming forward much more strongly in the EU Ecolabel.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GSTC remains the most explicit international reference framework for the four dimensions of sustainability, including cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it would be wrong to conclude from this that a GSTC-certified accommodation automatically emits less CO\u2082 than an accommodation with Green Key or EU Ecolabel.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that, comparable, measured performance figures are needed.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. EmCo: from now on, a label also has legal consequences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And then we come to perhaps the biggest change.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European directive <strong>Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EU 2024\/825)<\/strong>, EmCo for short, aims to protect consumers against misleading green advertising.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The directive was transposed in Belgium via the law of July 22, 2026. The new rules have been applicable since September 27, 2026.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For accommodation hosts, three changes are particularly important.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.1. Not every sustainability label can still be used<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sustainability label cannot just be a homemade logo with a green leaf.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to EmCo, the label must either be established by a government body or be based on a certification scheme that meets specific conditions.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those conditions concern, among other things:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Independent monitoring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public and transparent certification criteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expert and independent assessors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rules for monitoring, complaints, and withdrawal of certificates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fair and transparent access to certification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the official EU Ecolabel, there is little doubt about this: it was established via European regulations.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For private labels, such as Green Key, it must be demonstrated that their certification system meets the conditions. This is exactly why Green Key has reformed its certification structure.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For GSTC, one must look at the specific certification body and its accreditation. Simply stating that you follow the GSTC principles does not provide an independent certificate.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.2. A valid label is not a free pass for all green claims<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is perhaps even more important.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EmCo distinguishes between <strong>being allowed to show a sustainability label<\/strong> and <strong>being allowed to make general environmental claims<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The directive prohibits general environmental claims, such as &#8220;environmentally friendly&#8221; or &#8220;green,&#8221; when no recognized excellent environmental performance can be demonstrated for them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EU Ecolabel occupies a special place here: it is an official European environmental label that can serve as recognized substantiation for excellent environmental performance.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Green Key or a GSTC certification, that specific recognition does not apply automatically. That does not mean that showing those certificates is prohibited. However, you must be extra careful with the environmental claims you associate with them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the way, even with the EU Ecolabel, you cannot just claim that your accommodation is completely sustainable in every respect.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After all, a label only covers what actually falls within the scope of the certification.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.3. You may not present a partial performance as a total performance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An example.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suppose you have an excellently insulated building and generate all your electricity with solar panels.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then you may communicate those facts, as long as they are correct and demonstrable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they do not prove in themselves that your entire accommodation is ecological or climate-neutral.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After all, heating, purchasing, food, waste, transport, and other aspects also play a role.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, claims of climate neutrality based on CO\u2082 compensation are explicitly prohibited by EmCo for products and services.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A label does not change that.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does EmCo mean now for our four systems?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>System<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Legal meaning under EmCo<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>GSTC Hotel Standard 4.0<\/strong><\/td><td>Not a certificate in itself. Certification by a suitable independent certification body can meet the conditions for sustainability labels.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Green Key 2026\u20132031<\/strong><\/td><td>Private certification program that updated its working method to comply with EmCo. Actual compliance and certification status remain decisive.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>EU Ecolabel 2017<\/strong><\/td><td>Official EU label with a direct legal basis and a recognized framework for excellent environmental performance.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>EU Ecolabel v2<\/strong><\/td><td>Will retain the same legal nature as the current EU Ecolabel after final approval. The draft criteria are not yet a basis today to claim that you are already certified to them.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our conclusion on EmCo: the EU Ecolabel has a particularly<\/strong> <strong>strong legal starting position for environmental communication. Green Key and a correctly organized GSTC certification can also yield legally valid sustainability labels, but their private certification structure must meet European requirements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. What can you still say as an accommodation host?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that you don&#8217;t necessarily need a label to communicate credibly about your environmental efforts.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, for certain statements, concrete figures are much more informative than a general logo.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Avoid without appropriate substantiation<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Better and more concrete<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8220;We are a green B&amp;B.&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;Our heating works with a heat pump and our annual energy data is available.&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8220;Our overnight stays are climate-neutral.&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;Our calculated operational emissions are X kg CO\u2082e per guest night, according to the stated method.&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8220;We are the most sustainable B&amp;B in the region.&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;Our energy consumption decreased by X% between 2023 and 2025, with comparable measurement boundaries.&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8220;We contribute to biodiversity.&#8221;<\/td><td>&#8220;We manage X m\u00b2 of garden without pesticides and have designed a part with native plants.&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such specific claims must also be correct, verifiable, and non-misleading. The measurement period, system boundaries, and any uncertainties are important.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We previously wrote a separate article about green claims: <a href=\"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/no-more-eco-without-proof-how-to-show-what-your-accommodation-really-does\/\"><u>No more &#8216;eco&#8217; without proof: how to show what you really do as an accommodation<\/u>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Is certification still worth the effort then?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That depends on what you want to achieve with it.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certification can offer various benefits. It helps you work systematically, makes your performance verifiable, and can provide confidence to guests, partners, and booking platforms.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it also requires effort: administration, evidence, checks, any investments, and costs.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a small B&amp;B with two rooms, that is a different consideration than for a hotel with a hundred rooms.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We would therefore ask three questions.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What do you want to improve?<\/strong> If you mainly want to improve your energy, water, and waste management, the EU Ecolabel can be a suitable path. Those who also want to focus strongly on local cooperation and social responsibility may find more of a connection with Green Key or the broad GSTC approach.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What do you want to be able to demonstrate?<\/strong> A certificate confirms that you meet the applicable requirements. But those who want to show how much their energy consumption or CO\u2082 emissions are decreasing need measurement data.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is feasible for your type of accommodation?<\/strong> Some standards are relatively easy to apply in an existing home. Others require radical adjustments. The new accessibility requirement in EU Ecolabel v2 shows how important that question can become.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Fairhospitality.coop, we therefore prefer to view certification as <strong>a means to improve rather than as an end in itself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. What is still missing in all those labels?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We find it positive that certification systems are evolving toward more measurability, biodiversity, social responsibility, and independent monitoring.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, we are left with a fundamental question:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How much environmental impact does an accommodation really have, and is that impact getting smaller year after year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An accommodation can have an extensive sustainability policy but still consume a lot of energy.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, a small B&amp;B can be particularly energy-efficient but not possess a certificate because the administrative or technical hurdles are too high.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that reason, we believe that certification systems should at least be supplemented with an overview of concrete performance, such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Energy consumption in kWh per guest night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share of renewable energy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CO\u2082 emissions in kg CO\u2082e per guest night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water consumption in liters per guest night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waste quantities, where reliably measurable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concrete contributions to biodiversity and local social added value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those figures should be accompanied by transparent definitions, comparable calculation methods, and a clear description of what is and is not included.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is not to push all accommodations into one simplistic ranking.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A B&amp;B, campsite, vacation home, and hotel simply have different usage patterns, facilities, and circumstances.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The goal is for a host to be able to see where they stand, where they can improve, and what progress they are actually making.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. From sustainable to regenerative tourism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, there is another question.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sustainable tourism tries to limit the negative consequences of tourism and promote positive social effects.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regenerative tourism goes a step further. It asks how tourism can contribute to the recovery and strengthening of the place where it takes place, with attention to residents, visitors, nature, and the tourism entrepreneurs themselves.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That ambition aligns closely with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.toerismevlaanderen.be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Travel to Tomorrow<\/u>, the vision of Tourism Flanders.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of the investigated certifications guarantees in itself that an accommodation works regeneratively.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that, the positive contribution to the environment must also become visible and, where possible, demonstrable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of nature restoration, cooperation with local producers, support for community initiatives, or involving residents in the development of tourism.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The distinction is simple:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>A sustainable accommodation tries to limit its negative impact. A regenerative accommodation also wants to contribute to a place that becomes better for it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is an ambition we don&#8217;t want to leave to a single label.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. Our conclusion: which label to choose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no universally best certification for every type of accommodation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GSTC 4.0<\/strong> offers a broad international reference for sustainable tourism, with increasing attention to measurable indicators. Certification via an accredited body can be a solid instrument for organizations that want to address the full breadth of sustainability.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Green Key 2026\u20132031<\/strong> combines environmental care with social responsibility, guest engagement, and local cooperation. The new independent certification structure and the step-by-step improvement path are important assets.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The current EU Ecolabel<\/strong> has a clear legal position under EmCo and a strong focus on concrete environmental requirements. For micro-enterprises, the costs are also relatively favorable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The future EU Ecolabel v2<\/strong> promises to be a major step forward in terms of content. Biodiversity, monitoring, local involvement, and inclusion are receiving more attention. But some new mandatory requirements, especially regarding physical accessibility, can be difficult for existing small accommodations to achieve. The last word on that has not yet been said.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And our preference?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an accommodation host primarily looking for a credible European environmental label, the EU Ecolabel remains particularly interesting.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who want to approach sustainability more broadly, with social and local impact as an important part, should certainly look at Green Key or a GSTC-based certification.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But we find this even more important:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Choose a label that helps you get better, not just a label that helps you come across better.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And combine that where possible with transparent figures about the actual performance of your accommodation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because ultimately, it&#8217;s not the certificate on the wall that is the most important result, but what changes outside that wall.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Further reading and sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>European legislation and EmCo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/dir\/2024\/825\/oj\/eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Directive (EU) 2024\/825 \u2013 Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/topics\/consumers\/consumer-rights-and-complaints\/sustainable-consumption_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>European Commission \u2013 EmCo and FAQ of September 22, 2026<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GSTC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gstc.org\/gstc-criteria\/gstc-hotel-standard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>GSTC Hotel Standard 4.0<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gstc.org\/gstc-publishes-transition-guidelines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>GSTC \u2013 transition to version 4.0<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gstc.org\/gstc-empco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>GSTC \u2013 certification and EmCo<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Green Key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenkey.global\/criteria-20262031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Green Key \u2013 criteria 2026\u20132031<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenkey.global\/certification-process-2026-2031\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Green Key \u2013 certification process 2026\u20132031<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EU Ecolabel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/green-forum.ec.europa.eu\/green-business\/eu-ecolabel\/product-groups-and-criteria\/tourist-accommodation_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Current EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu\/product-bureau\/product-groups\/451\/documents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>JRC \u2013 draft criteria EU Ecolabel v2, October 2026<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu\/product-bureau\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/Draft_TR2_October%202026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>JRC \u2013 Technical report v2<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This<\/em> <em>comparison is based on publicly available documents up to and including October 23, 2026. For EU Ecolabel v2, these are preliminary draft criteria. The analysis of EmCo is informative and does not replace a legal assessment of individual environmental claims.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EmpCo directive, new versions of several widely used labels: how does that change our choice of a sustainability label? And is it even useful anyway?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2711,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geen-onderdeel-van-een-categorie"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2710"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2712,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2710\/revisions\/2712"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}