Sustainability consultancy From Now, part of emc3 Collective, has announced a new partnership with FuturePlus to provide independent third-party auditing for businesses progressing through its IMPACT CERTIFIED process.
The partnership follows the introduction of new EU requirements around environmental claims and sustainability labels, placing greater scrutiny on how businesses substantiate and communicate their sustainability credentials.
In response to the changing legislation, From Now has expanded its sustainability services to include independent third-party auditing, providing objective external assessments for businesses, certification providers and sustainability platforms.
The partnership is already in action, with From Now completing the independent audit of Lore Group, the first FuturePlus hospitality client to complete its enhanced third-party audit process.
Strengthening confidence through independent assurance
From Now’s auditors hold recognised Lead Environmental Auditor qualifications, including ISEP and CQI & IRCA certifications, combining formal auditing expertise with practical sector knowledge.
Through the partnership, From Now independently assesses FuturePlus clients against the applicable IMPACT CERTIFIED scheme requirements, providing external assurance separate from FuturePlus’s own assessment process.
For businesses facing increasing scrutiny over sustainability communications, this offers an additional level of confidence that their credentials are supported by robust evidence and independent assessment.
Matilda Riley, Lead Consultant at From Now, said:
“The sustainability landscape is changing quickly, and businesses are being asked to provide stronger evidence behind the claims they make.
“That’s exactly where independent auditing comes in. Our role is to provide an objective assessment of the evidence, giving businesses and sustainability platforms another level of assurance behind the credentials they communicate.
“Partnering with FuturePlus is an exciting opportunity to put that into practice, and we’re really pleased to have already completed the first audit with Lore Group.”
Alex Smith, CEO of FuturePlus, said:
“We’ve always believed that businesses should be able to stand behind what they say about sustainability.
“The rules have changed, but the underlying principle is simple: if you’re making a sustainability claim, you need credible evidence behind it.
“We’ve spent a lot of time looking at what the new requirements mean in practice and making sure our clients have a straightforward way to respond. They can measure and manage their sustainability through FuturePlus, build evidence of their progress, achieve IMPACT CERTIFIED status, and now add independent third-party assurance where needed.
“Completing the first audit is an important milestone. It demonstrates that this is a live, practical process that we’ve successfully delivered with a hospitality client.”
A changing landscape for sustainability claims
The EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive introduces new consumer protection requirements around environmental claims and sustainability labels, including restrictions on certain generic environmental claims and rules governing the use of sustainability labels.
EU Member States were required to transpose the Directive by 27 March 2026, with the new measures applying from 27 September 2026.
The changes are also relevant to UK and international businesses marketing products or services to consumers in EU markets.
As scrutiny of sustainability communications increases, From Now’s independent auditing service offers businesses and sustainability platforms an objective assessment of their sustainability evidence, helping strengthen the credibility and transparency of the credentials they communicate.
Are your sustainability credentials backed by the evidence to support them?
Find out how From Now’s independent third-party auditing services can help strengthen confidence in your sustainability claims.
Visit From Now to learn more or speak to the team.
