Legislación

compliance obligations

ISO 14001: a key change in terminology reinforces the focus on compliance
ISO 14001: a key change in terminology reinforces the focus on compliance 1200 800 Eurofins EcoGestor

As part of the 2026 revision of the ISO 14001 standard, one of the most notable — albeit seemingly subtle — changes is the update to the terminology used in relation to regulatory compliance. Specifically, the traditional term ‘legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes’, found in the 2015 version, is now referred to as ‘compliance obligations’.

At first glance, this adjustment might be interpreted as a simple modernisation of the language. However, the reality is that this is a change with significant conceptual and strategic implications for organisations implementing environmental management systems.

A change in line with international standards

The introduction of the concept of ‘compliance obligations’ responds to the need to harmonise ISO 14001 with other, more recent international standards, particularly ISO 37301 on compliance management systems. This alignment is no coincidence: it reflects a clear trend towards the integration of different management systems under a common approach, in which regulatory compliance takes on a central role.

Whilst the previous term focused on identifying and monitoring legal requirements and other voluntary commitments, the new terminology broadens the perspective. The concept of “compliance obligations” implies a more structured, systematic and risk-based approach, integrating not only the obligation to comply, but also that of proactively demonstrating such compliance.

From identification to a strategic approach to compliance

This shift reinforces the idea that compliance should no longer be viewed solely as an operational or administrative task, but as a strategic element within the management system. Organisations will need to move towards models in which:

  • Legal requirements should be incorporated into planning and decision-making.
  • More robust control and monitoring mechanisms should be put in place.
  • A culture of compliance should be strengthened at all levels of the organisation.
  • Compliance should be demonstrated on an ongoing and auditable basis.

Ultimately, the shift from ‘requirements’ to ‘compliance obligations’ represents a qualitative leap towards a more mature model that is aligned with international best practice.

Practical implications for organisations

In practice, this change will require organisations to review how they identify, manage and update their legal obligations and other commitments. It will also involve adapting procedures, records and tools to incorporate this more comprehensive approach to compliance, thereby facilitating traceability and transparency.

It also paves the way for greater integration between management systems, particularly in organisations that already have established compliance frameworks or are moving towards ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) models.

Consistency with developments in technological solutions

Against this backdrop of transformation, it is worth noting that some solutions on the market had already been anticipating this conceptual shift. This is the case with EcoGestor Legislation, which in its international versions had already adopted the name EcoGestor Compliance, thereby aligning itself with this more advanced vision of compliance.

This reinforces the consistency between regulatory developments and the tools that support organisations, facilitating a more natural transition towards the new approach proposed by ISO 14001.

This terminological adjustment therefore signifies much more than a mere change of words: it represents a step forward towards a more integrated, strategic approach to environmental management, focused on genuine and demonstrable compliance.

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greenwashing directive

New Directive (EU) 2024/825 and the approach against greenwashing: what is it and what implications will it have for businesses?
New Directive (EU) 2024/825 and the approach against greenwashing: what is it and what implications will it have for businesses? 1200 800 Eurofins EcoGestor

Directive (EU) 2024/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 February 2024 has been adopted with an ambitious and strategic objective: to empower consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair commercial practices and clearer and more reliable information on the environmental and social characteristics of goods and services.

This new European framework essentially strengthens the fight against so-called greenwashing — marketing practices in which companies provide ambiguous, exaggerated or false information about environmental benefits to attract customers — and extends the obligations of transparency and truthfulness in commercial communications.

What does the Directive consist of?

The Directive mainly amends two key pieces of EU law:

  • Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices and
  • Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights.

Its approach is twofold:

  1. Protection against misleading practices that make it difficult for consumers to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions, such as:
    • Misleading environmental or social claims about products (e.g., ‘eco-friendly’ without objective backing).
    • Unclear or difficult to verify information on characteristics such as repairability, durability or recyclability.
    • Ambiguous comparisons between products that may be misleading.
  2. Improvement of the pre-contractual information that companies must provide before purchase, especially in relation to:
    • the availability of more sustainable delivery options,
    • information on repair and after-sales services,
    • details of durability guarantees or the conditions for software updates on digital goods.

Together, these measures aim to enable consumers to compare and choose products in a more informed and sustainable manner, and to enable companies to compete on the basis of facts — not ambiguous claims — about sustainability.

What is greenwashing and how does this Directive combat it?

Greenwashing refers to marketing practices in which a company presents its products or services as more environmentally friendly than they actually are or uses vague terms without verifiable support. The Directive acts on two fronts here:

  • Extends the practices considered unfair when they mislead consumers about environmental benefits.
  • It requires that environmental claims be backed by clear, objective, publicly verifiable commitments accompanied by implementation plans with allocated resources.

This implies that a company cannot simply claim that a product is “environmentally friendly” or “neutral” without providing verifiable and accessible evidence of how that conclusion was reached.

Key deadlines for companies in the EU

  • Transposition deadline:

Member States must transpose the content of the Directive into their national legislation by 27 March 2026.

In Spain, this process has already begun with the drafting of the Preliminary Bill on Sustainable Consumption, which will serve as a regulatory instrument to adapt Spanish law to new European requirements on environmental information, combating greenwashing and protecting consumers.

  • Effective application:

The rules may be applied from 27 September 2026, the date on which penalties or contract exclusions may be imposed for failure to comply with the obligations arising from the Directive.

This timetable is key for companies to prepare in advance and adapt their communication, labelling and environmental information management processes. ental.  

What obligations will companies have?

Companies operating in the EU market must:

  • Ensure that all environmental or social statements are clear, verifiable and reliable.
  • Avoid ambiguous or unsubstantiated claims that could mislead consumers (greenwashing).
  • Provide detailed and accessible information on relevant characteristics of the product or service — including aspects of circularity and sustainability — prior to purchase.
  • Facilitate objective comparisons between products when environmental data is included.
  • Include information on repair, durability, availability of parts and after-sales services, where applicable.

Furthermore, traders may be required to verify certain claims through independent third-party experts, especially when referring to specific sustainability objectives or targets.

Conclusion

Directive (EU) 2024/825 represents an important step by the European Union to combat greenwashing and strengthen consumer rights in their transition towards more sustainable consumption patterns.

For companies, this implies increased obligations in terms of transparency, verification and reporting of environmental and social information, with a direct impact on communication, marketing and regulatory compliance strategies.

Is your company ready to comply with Directive (EU) 2024/825 and avoid penalties for greenwashing? Contact us for expert advice.

Plan laboratory maintenance

How to plan maintenance in laboratories to ensure accuracy and efficiency?
How to plan maintenance in laboratories to ensure accuracy and efficiency? 1200 800 Eurofins EcoGestor

In a laboratory, even the smallest failure can compromise key results. That’s why more and more organizations are seeking tools to ensure the proper functioning of their equipment. The key? Proper maintenance planning. Keep reading to find out how to achieve it.

The challenge of keeping laboratory equipment in optimal condition

Centrifuges failing in the middle of a critical sample, scales with imperceptible misalignments, or ovens with inconsistent temperatures. These situations not only slow down work but also compromise the quality of analytical results. In this context, planning laboratory maintenance becomes both an operational and strategic necessity.

The solution lies in incorporating tools that provide full control over assets, such as EcoGestor CMMS, a specialized maintenance software that facilitates both preventive and corrective maintenance, allowing technical teams to focus on their true priority: quality.

EcoGestor CMMS: Total Planning and Control in Laboratories

EcoGestor CMMS has become the ideal solution for managing laboratory equipment. Thanks to its features specifically designed for this environment, it enables:

  • Plan and schedule maintenance tasks efficiently and custom-made, avoiding delays and human errors.
  • Monitor calibration dates for equipment such as balances, ovens, climate chambers, or centrifuges.
  • Verify equipment availability, optimizing usage and avoiding unexpected downtime.
  • Manage corrective maintenance, acting quickly in response to issues and minimizing downtime.
  • Visualize the real-time status of equipment, with key indicators that enable better decision-making.
  • Identify each piece of equipment with QR code labels, simplifying access to its technical sheet, pending tasks, or maintenance history. Managing maintenance, both preventive and corrective, has never been easier

In addition, EcoGestor GMAO has already been successfully implemented in large reference laboratories, demonstrating its ability to adapt to demanding environments. We have extensive experience in the sector, and our specialized technicians support the entire maintenance digitalization process, from the initial diagnosis to implementation and training, ensuring a smooth, guided, and fully tailored deployment for each specific situation.

Direct benefits of good maintenance planning

Implementing a maintenance plan with EcoGestor GMAO brings numerous benefits:

  • ✅ Work time optimization: equipment is available and calibrated right when it is needed
  • ✅ Reduction of operational costs: by detecting failures before they become serious, expensive repairs are avoided.
  • ✅ Regulatory compliance: ensures the recording and tracking of tasks required by quality and safety regulations.
  • ✅ Data-driven decision making: updated and accessible information to plan resources in advance.

Additionally, the system adapts to the reality of each laboratory, regardless of its size, equipment volume, or operational complexity.

What type of equipment does EcoGestor GMAO work with?

Balances, centrifuges, ovens, incubators, climate chambers, and any other equipment that requires calibration, periodic review, or specialized technical maintenance. The system’s flexibility allows for the inclusion of all valuable laboratory assets, integrating tasks, alerts, intervention histories, and more.

¿Quieres implementar un plan de mantenimiento eficaz en tu laboratorio?

Discover how EcoGestor GMAO can help you plan and manage maintenance in a centralized, organized way, aligned with the real needs of your activity. Because an efficient laboratory not only analyzes well: it also plans better.

Request a free demo of EcoGestor GMAO and discover how our experts can help you digitally manage your laboratory maintenance in an agile and effective way.

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