Why the need for Retail4Impact?
Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on sustainability. Today,
around 90% of consumers say they want healthy and sustainable products. This growing
demand explains why products marketed with credible sustainability attributes are growing at
twice the rate of comparable conventional products.
For retailers and brands, sustainability is therefore not only an environmental responsibility—it is a key driver of consumer trust, business growth, and long-term competitiveness.
Effectively communicating these efforts has become just as important as implementing them.
Consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders increasingly expect companies to provide clear, accurate, and trustworthy information about the sustainability impacts of the products they buy. At the same time, sustainability claims are facing greater scrutiny, with increasingly stringent legislation and heightened enforcement against green washing.
The retail sector has a key role to play in preventing such practices and ensuring product
sustainability information is communicated to consumers in a clear, reliable, transparent,
relevant and accessible way – not only as a major driver of the global economy, but also as the most crucial link between brands producers and consumers.
What is the Retail4Impact initiative?
Developed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme within the
framework of the One Planet Network, a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the Retail4Impact initiative is led by its Consumer Information Programme whose overall objective is to engage and assist consumers in sustainable consumption.
The Retail4Impact initiative unites the retail sector in providing effective, trustworthy claims to
consumers on product sustainability information. Through expert insights, practical case
studies, and peer learning, the initiative equips retailers and brands with the knowledge and
practical tools needed to confidently assess, substantiate, and communicate product sustainability information in line with internationally recognized guidance, including the UNEP
Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information.
Why join Retail4Impact?
Joining Retail4Impact enables businesses to strengthen their capacity to communicate product sustainability information in a credible, transparent and effective way. Retailers and brands gain access to internationally recognized guidance, practical tools, technical expertise and peer learning to help improve sustainability communications, build consumer trust and contribute to inform purchasing decisions towards sustainable consumption.
The initiative also provides a platform to collaborate with leading retailers, brands and experts
to share experiences, address common challenges and help shape good practices for product sustainability information. At the same time, the regulatory landscape for environmental claims is evolving rapidly. In Europe, new legislation—including the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo) Directive which entered into force on September 27, 2026 —is raising expectations for how environmental claims are substantiated, communicated and verified. Similar developments are emerging in other regions, as governments and consumer protection authorities strengthen rules and guidance to improve transparency and address misleading environmental claims.By aligning with UNEP's internationally recognized Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information, Retail4Impact helps businesses prepare for these evolving expectations, reduce green washing risks and build resilience in an increasingly demanding
marketplace.
Benefits for retailers
Retailers and brands joining Retail4Impact will:
● Access technical expertise, learning resources and practical tools to improve product
sustainability and circularity practices, while preventing green washing and building trust
with consumers,
● Strengthen capacity to develop and communicate credible product sustainability
information by ensuring alignment with internationally recognized guidance and best
practices.
● Join an international Community of Practice of retailers and brands committed to
advancing product sustainability and credible consumer information and exchange
experiences with peers.
● Demonstrate leadership in responsible retail by developing strong internal processes
and policies on green washing and misleading green claims prevention.
What’s new in 2027?
The third edition of Retail4Impact is now open for enrollment The 2027 edition features two
tracks to support participants in their learning journey:
• Training Track: An expert-led learning programme covering consumer expectations,
green washing regulations, digital product passports, circularity in fashion and food, and
eco-labels.
• Progress Lab Track: A structured journey guiding companies from baseline analysis to
implementation of at least one concrete improvement to their product sustainability
information policies or processes, with tailored expert support.
Calls to Action
• 10 November: Encourage eligible retailers and brands within your network to attend the
presentation webinar of Retail4Impact’s third edition and discover the learning
programme for 2027; Virtual event details will be uploaded for online registration.
• By 31 December: Encourage eligible retailers and brands within your network to express
interest in enrolling in the 2027 course by completing the online form on Retail4Impact's
website.
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