Briefing 
 

Stopping greenwashing: Parliament to adopt its position 

On Thursday, MEPs will adopt their negotiating position on a directive to improve product labelling, make products last longer and end misleading claims.

The Internal Market Committee’s draft text would ban the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” if these do not come with detailed evidence. To simplify product information, only sustainability labels based on official certification schemes or established by public authorities should be allowed. MEPs also want any additional voluntary extension of a guarantee offered by producers to be indicated on a product in a harmonised way.

To make products last longer, they want to ban the introduction of design features that limit a product’s durability and lead to it malfunctioning prematurely. All goods should be designed in a way that other companies could also make consumables, spare parts or accessories (for example chargers or ink cartridges) for them, MEPs say. If a product cannot be repaired, buyers would have to be informed of this and of any other repair restrictions before they buy it.

Background

The proposed directive is part of the first circular economy package, along with the ecodesign regulation, construction products regulation and an own-initiative report on an EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles. It paves the way for a new green claims directive that will specify further the conditions.

Procedure Code: 2022/0092(COD)

Procedure: Ordinary legislative procedure, first reading

Debate: Tuesday 9 May

Vote: Thursday 11 May