Independent Committee of the ECOCAMPING Certification 

• The independent committee monitors the ECOCAMPING certification system and ensures that the ECOCAMPING sustainability seal is awarded on a technically sound, impartial, and legally compliant basis.
  It is established as a special body of ECOCAMPING e.V. and acts as an independent third party within the meaning of the EU EmpCo Directive and the corresponding provisions of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG).

Independence and legal framework

• The Advisory Board operates independently of ECOCAMPING e.V., ECOCAMPING Service GmbH and certified campsites and those applying for certification in terms of both structure and content.
• It is not subject to any technical instructions from the association’s bodies or the secretariat; decisions made by the Advisory Board cannot be overturned or overruled by them.
• Its activities are based on the requirements of the EmpCo Directive, the relevant provisions of the UWG and the rules of procedure of the independent advisory board.

Tasks of the committee

• The advisory board ensures the quality and impartiality of the ECOCAMPING certification system by performing the following core tasks:
• Regular review of the ECOCAMPING certification criteria (at least every three years) to ensure they are up to date and legally compliant.
• Risk-based random sampling of certification decisions (e.g. initial audits by new auditors, cases involving deviations, complaint-related audits).
• Defining the requirements for external auditors and monitoring their independence and qualifications. Independent processing of complaints regarding certification decisions and the approval of auditors.
• Issuing recommendations for the further development of the certification system and preparing an annual public activity report.
• Possibility of recommending measures in the event of serious deficiencies, including the suspension of individual certificates or, in particularly serious cases, the temporary suspension of the certification system.

Composition and Expertise

• The advisory board consists of three independent members with proven expertise in the areas of tourism and sustainability, environment/NGOs/authorities, and certification/auditing or consumer protection.
• The members are appointed by the ECOCAMPING e.V. board; 
• All members meet strict independence requirements and are not employed by or affiliated with ECOCAMPING e.V. or ECOCAMPING Service GmbH, nor do they have any relevant economic relationships with certified campsites or campsites applying for certification.

Working method:

• The advisory board usually meets twice a year; additional meetings may be held as required.
• It works according to documented, risk-based procedures, reviews selected certification decisions and audit reports, and informs the system owner of its findings and recommendations.
• ECOCAMPING Service GmbH provides organizational support to the advisory board in the form of secretarial services (e.g. preparation of meetings, documents, minutes), without having any decision-making authority.

Complaints

• Campsites, auditors, and the system owner may lodge complaints against certification decisions or decisions regarding the approval of auditors.
  Complaints must be submitted in writing to the ECOCAMPING Service GmbH secretariat (e.g. by email to office@ecocamping.de) and will be independently reviewed by the advisory board.
  The advisory board will hear the parties involved, assess the facts, and issue a written vote; the process and results will be documented.

Transparency and downloads

• The work of the independent advisory board is guided by the principles of impartiality, professional competence, accountability, transparency, and confidentiality.
• Detailed rules on composition, procedures, complaint processes, and decision-making powers are laid down in the advisory board’s rules of procedure.

Downloads

• Rules of procedure of the independent advisory board for system monitoring of ECOCAMPING certification (PDF)
  Annual activity report of the advisory board (as soon as available)