Notice on the use of the terms “CoCo Sapiens”, “CoCo Score” and “CoCo Sapiens Certified”

CoCo Sapiens is an independent non-profit organisation that develops tools to understand, assess and transform food systems. The CoCo Score and the CoCo Sapiens standards are assessment tools based on practices whose impact is documented in published research.

Neither the CoCo Score, nor the standards, nor the “Food Origin” and “CoCo Sapiens 360” recognitions are a certification, a sustainability label or an eco-label. The results are not currently verified by any independent or accredited certification body. They must not be presented as a guarantee of compliance with any legal, environmental or organic standard.

The term “CoCo Sapiens Certified”, which appears in the standards, refers to a programme under development in some countries outside the European Economic Area. It is not available or valid in the European Union or the European Economic Area (including Norway). In those territories it may not be used, displayed or communicated to consumers. It could only apply where a certification scheme with independent third-party verification exists, in line with the rules of the country concerned.

This notice responds to Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, which applies from 27 September 2026. Among other practices, it prohibits displaying sustainability labels that are not based on a certification scheme with third-party verification or established by public authorities; making generic environmental claims without demonstrating recognised excellent environmental performance; and claiming that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the climate based on greenhouse gas emissions offsetting.

Anyone who receives a CoCo Sapiens assessment or recognition may not present it as a certification, eco-label or guarantee. Any commercial mention must include the sentence: “A CoCo Sapiens recognition based on the CoCo Score. Not a certification.” CoCo Sapiens may withdraw the recognition and require that its name or logo stop being used if it is used in a misleading way.

“CoCo Sapiens”, “CoCo Score”, “Food Origin”, “CoCo Sapiens 360”, “Food Report”, “Food Journal” and the CoCo Sapiens logo are the property of CoCo Sapiens. They may not be used without written permission.

Assessment information reflects the situation on the date shown, based on data provided by the producer and reviewed by CoCo Sapiens. CoCo Sapiens is not responsible for later changes in the assessed practices.