Konstantinos Mavropoulos, Head of Sustainability & Water related Engineering Division at TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas
The Head of Sustainability & Water related Engineering Division at TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas, Mr. Konstantinos Mavropoulos, explains why verifying environmental claims is not just a formal compliance requirement, but a strategic asset for businesses aiming to remain competitive in an ever-changing environment.
Today, transparency is not just a buzzword. It is a requirement that largely determines which businesses will be sustainable in the market and which will not. Businesses are now expected to demonstrate to their customers, partners, and investors that they truly understand the environmental and social impact of their products—and that they have the data to prove it.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and the Carbon Footprint standard (ISO 14067) are internationally recognized standards for measuring and communicating this information at the product level. But the critical issue lies elsewhere: the business must be able to prove it. Anyone claiming to be “green” must be able to substantiate that claim—through independent verification.
At TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas, we know that verification is not just a formal compliance step. It is the cornerstone of building trust. It turns a promise into a verified fact—something you can present to investors, markets, or tendering authorities who demand evidence, not just statements of good intentions.
Why Environmental and Carbon Footprint Matter Today
The issue is not only about environmental claims regulations – although these aim to establish a strict and regulated framework. The European Union, through the Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), introduces a structure that demands proof. Large companies, financial institutions, and investors now seriously consider ESG criteria before engaging in or funding a business venture.
And of course, it’s not just about “compliance.” It’s also about the customer—whether that’s the end consumer looking for products with a lower footprint and verified claims, or another business requiring verified data to integrate a supplier into its value chain.
In this context, EPD International and ISO 14067 services are tools based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). They follow rules that ensure measurements are comparable and reliable. There are differences between the two – ISO 14067 focuses on CO₂ emissions, while EPD provides a more comprehensive view of the product’s environmental footprint – but both share a fundamental principle: they only have value if verified by independent bodies
What This Means for Businesses in Practice
In reality, many businesses face the requirement to measure and verify their footprint due to external pressure – from customers, markets, or regulations. However, those who treat it solely as a compliance cost miss the point.
A certified and independent verified declaration of Environmental or Carbon Footprint is now a passport to enter demanding markets, participate in tenders with environmental criteria, and to gain the trust of B2B customers who need reliable for their own ESG reporting.
In sectors like manufacturing, packaging, agri-food, construction materials, etc., these issues are now part of daily business. And this is not just about earning a “label”—it’s a tool to design emission reduction strategies, improving products and processes, and demonstrating real , sustainable progress.
The Technology Behind Verification
Many still believe that EPD or ISO 14067 services are “bureaucratic” or static. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. These services can integrate or rely on constantly evolving technology. LCA tools and EPD study generation software must be reliable and meet standard requirements—and these tools are also verified to ensure the studies they produce are suitable for official declarations.
Moreover, modern data management platforms allow a business to organize and monitor its data in a way that facilitates the communication of verified claims to customers and partners.
And naturally, this is not just about today. In the near future, the need for Digital Product Passport (DPP) will bring a demand for connected, accessible, and fully verified data.
EPD and ISO 14067 standards will form the basis upon which these digital product “passports” are built.
Our experience shows that businesses investing in the verification of their environmental claims today are essentially building their credibility for tomorrow. In a market that demands proof instead of promises, verification is not a burden but an opportunity.
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