March 12, 2024 | ESGtoday |
The European Parliament overwhelmingly voted (467-65) to approve regulations targeting greenwashing, aiming to safeguard consumers from misleading environmental claims made by companies. These rules mandate that companies submit claims like "biodegradable" or "less polluting" for verification before use. Stemming from the European Commission's proposed "Directive on Green Claims," the move responds to studies revealing that over half of such claims in the EU are vague, misleading, or unsubstantiated. The directive sets minimum requirements for substantiating and verifying environmental claims, demanding independent verification and scientific evidence. It also addresses private environmental labels, necessitating transparency and independent verification. The directive is part of a broader EU package focusing on consumer-oriented environmental and circular economy initiatives. Under the adopted position, companies' claims and evidence will be assessed within 30 days, with penalties for non-compliance, including fines and exclusion from public procurements. The aim is to eradicate greenwashing, ensuring that consumers can trust the environmental claims made by businesses and make informed, sustainable choices.
