European Parliament 'bans' greenwashing and regulates labelling
18/01/2024
The new rules aim to make product labelling clearer and more trustworthy by banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” without proof.
The use of sustainability labels will also now be regulated. In the future, only sustainability labels based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities will be allowed in the EU.
Additionally, the directive will ban claims that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the environment because of emissions offsetting schemes.
Another objective is making producers and consumers focus more on the durability of goods. Guarantees will have to be more visible and a new, harmonised label will be created to give more prominence to goods with an extended guarantee period.
The new rules will also ban unfounded durability claims, prompts to replace consumables earlier than strictly necessary and presenting goods as repairable when they are not.
MEP Biljana Borzan said: “We will step away from throwaway culture, make marketing more transparent and fight premature obsolescence of goods. People will be able to choose products that are more durable, repairable and sustainable thanks to reliable labels and advertisements."
The directive needs to receive final approval from the Council, after which it will be published in the Official Journal and member states will have 24 months to transpose it into national law.
Image: Press conference announcing the passing of the legislation. Credit: European Commission.
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