The Green Button is currently being revised. As part of this process, it has been decided that Green Button 3.0 will focus in the future on corporate due diligence obligations. The former second pillar – the meta-label approach – will no longer be continued. This change will only take effect with the introduction of the new standard, expected from spring 2027. Until then, Green Button 2.0 will remain valid, meaning there will be no short-term changes.

Why this change is necessary

New legal regulations such as the Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo) and its German implementation in the Act against Unfair Competition (UWG) require the discontinuation of the meta-label approach. The UWG sets high requirements for the quality and credibility of certification labels.

Under the previous meta-label approach of the Green Button, third-party certification labels were accepted as recognition for production processes. However, the Green Button is not able to verify or ensure the compliance of these third-party certification labels with the requirements of the UWG. Companies themselves are responsible for assessing whether third-party certification labels comply with the UWG. In order to avoid legal risks and to ensure the legal compliance of the Green Button, the meta-label approach will therefore not be continued in the Standard 3.0. The Green Button will instead be designed to function independently of other certification labels.

The requirements of the planned Green Claims Directive, which aims to prevent greenwashing, are also not compatible with the current meta-label approach. Even though it is currently unclear when the Green Claims Directive will be introduced due to the suspension of negotiations, the Green Button is already intended to address the upcoming requirements.

Future role of certification labels in Green Button 3.0

Corporate due diligence processes have always been and remain at the core of the Green Button. The Green Button was the first textile certification label to introduce these processes and to demonstrate in practice that they are feasible and auditable. The discontinuation of the meta-label approach reinforces this key pillar and reduces complexity. At the same time, the Green Button remains an on-product label, as this is an essential feature to continue providing guidance to consumers.

Going on, certification labels will continue to play an important role in promoting sustainability in supply chains, even without the meta-label approach. They remain an important building block for corporate due diligence processes, as audit reports continue to provide valuable information for risk management. Without a meta-label approach, however, companies can select certification labels and robust audits in line with their risk profile and other criteria, allowing for more efficient use of resources and potentially also cost savings.

Accordingly, the consultation on the Green Button Standard 3.0 in spring and summer 2026 will focus on requirements for corporate due diligence processes.

We look forward to your feedback and to your continued engagement in the Green Button community!