'Green claims' directive: Protecting consumers from greenwashing
In the absence of specific rules on claims regarding the 'green' nature of products, how can consumers be sure that such claims are reliable, comparable and verifiable throughout the EU? On 22 March 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive on green claims. The proposed directive would require companies to substantiate the voluntary green claims they make in business-to-consumer commercial practices, by complying with a number of requirements regarding their assessment (e.g. taking a life-cycle perspective). In Parliament, the file was allocated jointly to the Committees on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). Parliament adopted its first-reading position on 12 March 2024 and the Council approved a general approach on 17 June 2024. Interinstitutional negotiations are now about to begin. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.