ISO 14068 · claims · credits
Carbon neutral software: reductions first, evidence always
Carbon neutral software measures a footprint, tracks reductions and records any credits retired, so that a carbon neutrality claim can be backed up.
The standard behind such claims changed: PAS 2060 is withdrawn, and ISO 14068 is its successor.
The standards are compared on the PAS 2060 and ISO 14068 guide.
The standard
Should carbon neutral software support PAS 2060 or ISO 14068?
ISO 14068: PAS 2060 verification stopped on 1 January 2025 and all opinions closed at the end of 2025 (BSI).
ISO 14068:2026 is the current edition, with no part number, and "transition to net zero" has gone from its title (ISO).
UKAS notes that under ISO 14068 the first claim cannot rest entirely on offsets, and evidence of a reduction is needed in every reporting cycle (UKAS).
Reporting
Can carbon neutral software net offsets off reported emissions?
No: UK SRS S2 requires absolute gross emissions, so carbon credits are never deducted from the reported inventory (UK SRS S2 ¶29(a)).
A tool should report the inventory and the credits retired side by side, never a single "net" figure in place of the inventory.
For credit quality and integrity, see the specialist guides on the sister site for carbon credits; for the inventory see carbon accounting software.
Marketing claims
Is a carbon neutral claim safe to publish?
The ASA treats an unqualified "carbon neutral" claim as misleading (ASA).
In the EU, a ban on offset-based carbon neutral product claims applies from 27 September 2026 under Directive (EU) 2024/825 (EUR-Lex).
See green claims software and the Green Claims Code guide.
The demonstration
What should you test before buying?
Ask the vendor to prepare a draft ISO 14068 evidence pack from your data.
Software demo · evidence check
Carbon neutral demo coverage
Tick a test only when the vendor has demonstrated it with a representative record and shown the evidence or export.
0 of 5 tests demonstrated (0%). This is a checklist result, not a score for the vendor.
Still to test: Show the footprint and the reduction achieved this cycle; Record each credit retired with its registry, serial and retirement date; Keep gross emissions and credits as separate figures; Name the standard and edition behind the claim; Export the evidence pack for a verifier.
Frequently asked
Carbon neutral software, answered
What is carbon neutral software?
Software that measures a company’s or product’s footprint, tracks reductions and any credits retired, and keeps the evidence a carbon neutrality claim needs.
Can I still get PAS 2060 certification?
No. PAS 2060 verification stopped on 1 January 2025 and all opinions closed at the end of 2025.
ISO 14068 is its successor.
Do carbon credits reduce my reported emissions?
No. Under UK SRS S2 emissions are reported gross, so credits are never deducted from the inventory, whatever a dashboard shows.
Is "carbon neutral" a safe marketing claim in the UK?
The ASA’s position is that an unqualified carbon neutral claim is misleading.
Any claim needs to be specific and backed by evidence.
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
- ISOISO 14068:2026 carbon neutrality
- BSIPAS 2060 / ISO 14068 product page
- UKASISO 14068-1 migration from PAS 2060
- ISOISO 14064-1:2018
- ISOISO 14067:2018
- ASACAP Code section 11: environmental claims
- CMAGreen Claims Code
- EUR-LexDirective (EU) 2024/825, empowering consumers
- VCMIClaims Code of Practice
- DBTUK SRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures
- DESNZVoluntary carbon and nature market integrity principles