Empowering consumers for the green transition

Briefing 16-06-2022

On 30 March 2022, the Commission published a proposal for a directive empowering consumers for the green transition, through better protection against unfair practices and better information. The proposal is designed to enhancing consumer rights in making informed choices in order to play an active role in the transition to a climate-neutral society. It proposes new rules to provide consumers with information on products' sustainability, in particular their durability and reparability, at the point of purchase. It also aims to promote commercial guarantees exceeding the two-year legal guarantee, as well as to ban false and misleading green claims ('greenwashing') and certain types of premature obsolescence of products. In the European Parliament, the file has been referred to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. In the Council, discussions have started in the working party on consumer protection and information. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.