Across Europe, the drive to make science more sustainable is accelerating, fueled by European Union (EU) climate goals, evolving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, and the urgent need for measurable impact. My Green Lab is proud to be an active partner in supporting laboratories throughout Europe with proven, science-based sustainability programmes tailored to the European context.

With a nine-member team based in Europe, My Green Lab is uniquely positioned to help organisations align with EU regulations, meet sustainability commitments, and implement operational changes that deliver lasting results. This local presence is strengthened by Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab’s subsidiary that advances the My Green Lab Certification programme through independent, third-party verification, ensuring the highest level of credibility and trust.

Together, the team combines deep regional knowledge with My Green Lab’s global leadership to deliver programmes that are both regionally relevant and internationally recognized. This creates a critical advantage for organisations operating across Europe’s diverse regulatory landscape.

A Science-Based Approach Aligned with European Goals

Laboratories are notoriously resource-intensive environments, consuming substantial amounts of energy and generating vast volumes of waste and water use. My Green Lab’s programmes deliver solutions grounded in measurable sustainability that directly address these challenges.

“Our programmes are designed to support the EU’s climate-neutrality goal for 2050 by promoting measurable reductions in energy, water, and material use within laboratory environments,” said Jack O’Grady, Director of Certifications. “My Green Lab Certification offers a structured, science-based approach to carbon reduction that aligns with EU carbon accounting frameworks and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).”

As European organisations are increasingly integrating ESG metrics into their operations, My Green Lab programmes provide the standardized, credible sustainability indicators they need. In addition to My Green Lab Certification, My Green Lab’s ACT EcoLabel enhances transparency in procurement and daily operations, supporting responsible resource use and supply chain accountability.

Both programmes align with international standards such as ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems, helping laboratories and institutions integrate sustainability into core business practices while meeting regulatory requirements.

Meeting Europe’s Unique Sustainability Challenges

Europe’s laboratory landscape presents distinct challenges. A patchwork of national sustainability frameworks and standards creates complexity for multinational organisations seeking consistent practices across borders. My Green Lab offers a unifying framework to standardize sustainability throughout the EU. Regardless of location or directives differing from one country to the next, My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel are well positioned to support and allow for a unifying comparison of performance and improvement in sustainable practices.

Energy efficiency is another pressing priority. Since the 2022 energy market disruptions, Europe has faced some of the highest energy prices in the world. My Green Lab programmes help laboratories identify inefficiencies and implement targeted strategies, such as optimizing fume hood use and managing ultra-low temperature freezers. “These interventions not only lower environmental impact but also provide clear data on potential return on investment,” continues O’Grady.

Supporting Accessibility and Community Growth

To ensure broader engagement across the continent, My Green Lab offers its programmes in multiple languages. Universities and research institutes in countries like Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and across Scandinavia are leading the way in sustainable laboratory practices.

“As a nonprofit, My Green Lab actively supports the development of national Green Lab Networks, such as Green Labs Denmark and Green Labs NL, fostering collaboration, peer learning, and a growing community of sustainability champions. These collective efforts are central to advancing My Green Lab’s mission of creating a global culture of sustainability in science,” said O’Grady.

My Green Lab Certification: A Comprehensive Tool for Compliance and Impact

My Green Lab Certification, one of its flagship programmes, addresses 14 environmental impact areas, including energy, water, waste, chemical use, procurement, and lab culture. The programme promotes green chemistry and sustainable procurement, aligning with EU directives to reduce hazardous substances and foster environmentally responsible innovation.

“A core strength of the certification lies in its focus on staff education and behavior change, essential components for building a lasting, sustainable lab culture and achieving long-term institutional environmental goals,” said O’Grady. “Labs benefit from access to data-driven benchmarks and tools that enable them to monitor and improve their sustainability performance over time.”

The certification provides globally recognized, independently verified documentation of laboratory environmental performance. This credible evidence proves valuable for external audits, funding applications, and collaborative projects, and positions institutions to excel in ESG reporting under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

“For labs seeking both operational improvement and strategic alignment with EU policy, My Green Lab Certification offers a comprehensive, impactful pathway,” continues O’Grady.

Proven Impact in Europe

My Green Lab’s European impact began in 2019 when the CÚRAM Institute at the University of Galway in Ireland became the first in the region to certify its laboratories under the leadership of Professor Úna Fitzgerald. This milestone inspired other European institutions to follow suit, showcasing the necessity and importance of laboratory sustainability efforts.

Today, 1,589 laboratories in 22 European countries are enrolled in My Green Lab Certification, representing nearly 40% of global participation (as of September 2025). These laboratories span sectors including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medtech, academia, and healthcare.

The ACT Ecolabel database includes 542 products from manufacturers based across 12 European countries (as of September 2025).

The European Ambassador network is equally as strong. “The uptake and enrollment in My Green Lab programmes is supported by the wonderful European community of My Green Lab Ambassadors. Currently, European Ambassadors make up over 50% of the total number of My Green Lab Ambassadors (8,887),” notes O’Grady. The Ambassador Programme is a free, online course for lab professionals to learn sustainable practices, earn certification, and join a global community of change makers.

Why European Organisations Should Act Now

With EU sustainability legislation tightening, the case for verified, measurable environmental action in science has never been stronger. The EU Empowering Consumers Directive, formally known as the Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, adopted in 2024, will require organisations to substantiate environmental claims and ensure product transparency by 2026.

“Both of our flagship programmes, My Green Lab Certification and the ACT EcoLabel, ensure that all requirements from the Empowering Consumers Directive are fully met, helping said organisations achieve compliance while demonstrating genuine environmental leadership,” said O’Grady.

By adopting My Green Lab Certification and the ACT EcoLabel, organisations can demonstrate ESG leadership, build stakeholder trust, and ensure compliance, while also reducing costs and environmental impact.

The Team Behind the Mission

The strength of My Green Lab’s European work stems from its dedicated, regionally based team of nine professionals:

• Jack O’Grady, Director of Certifications, Limerick, Ireland
• Raj Patey, Business Development Director, Daventry, United Kingdom
• Dulan Liyanage, Market Development Representative, Dublin, Ireland
• Lena Thomas, Market Development Representative, Dortmund, Germany
• Pernilla Sormë, Senior Director of Research and Technical Standards, Isle of South Uist, United Kingdom
• Charlotte Criscuolo, Sustainability Certifications Coordinator, Manchester, United Kingdom
• Caroline O’Donnell, Sustainability Certifications Coordinator, Donegal, Ireland
• Aaron Desmond, Market Development Representative, London, United Kingdom
• Carlo Battisti, European Stakeholder Engagement, Bolzano, Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy

My Green Lab’s European Team. From left to right: Caroline O’Donnell, Dulan Liyanage, Charlotte Criscuolo, Raj Patey, Jack O’Grady, Pernilla Sormë, Aaron Desmond. Not pictured: Carlo Battisti and Lena Thomas

This regionally distributed team combines deep knowledge of European regulatory landscapes with My Green Lab’s global expertise, ensuring programmes not only meet EU environmental goals but help organisations advance their climate commitments.

“Our team is here on the ground, supporting labs in their own languages, cultures, and regulatory environments,” said O’Grady. “Our approach is about harmonizing sustainability standards across Europe while respecting the unique frameworks and challenges each country faces.”

Ready to Lead Laboratory Sustainability in Europe?

Join the 1,589 European laboratories already certified with My Green Lab and position your organisation at the forefront of sustainable science. Whether you’re seeking regulatory compliance, ESG leadership, or operational efficiency, our European team is ready to support your sustainability journey.

Take the next step:

• Contact our European team for a My Green Lab Certification consultation tailored to your regulatory environment.
• Get in touch with the European ACT Ecolabel team here.
• Want to learn more? Explore our certification programmes and join our Ambassador community.