EU's Green Claims Directive under Threat amidst Political Tensions
EU regulation tightening up on greenwashing practices being proposed
Dissension has stirred in the EU, causing turmoil over a regulatory proposal aimed at setting standardized guidelines against inaccurate environmental claims by businesses (Green Claims Directive). As reported by news agency dpa, the EU Commission is considering halting the legislative process, given its power to pull back proposed legislation prior to adoption [1][2].
A European Commission spokesperson stated that the ongoing discussions surrounding the proposal run contrary to the Commission's simplification agenda, suggesting that they're displeased with the amendments proposed so far by either the EU Parliament or Council. The objective of the planned rules is to guarantee confidence for consumers who purchase products labeled as eco-friendly, as dubious claims like "ocean-friendly t-shirts" or "100% CO2-compensated deliveries" may soon be subject to scrutiny [1].
The Christian Democrats have advocated for the EU authority to withdraw the proposal, commending the Commission’s intentions to do so. They condemned the proposed regulations as being overly complex, inevitably leading to a heavy bureaucratic burden [1]. However, the Social Democrats remain bewildered by the Commission’s announcement.
The withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive does not erase existing marketing rules or the ruling that empowers consumers in their green transition (Green Transition Directive), scheduled to take effect in September 2026 [5].
This decision comes in response to pressure from right-wing and conservative political groups, including the European People's Party (EPP) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), who sought the directive's withdrawal. Although the Commission hasn't offered in-depth reasons for the withdrawal, it cited the "current circumstances" and promised to provide further information [1][3][5].
Liberal and socialist groups, fighting as chief negotiators on the file from the Parliament side, have expressed frustration over the Commission's unilateral and premature decision to withdraw the proposal. They view it as an unacceptable disruption that undermines progress and the legislative process [1]. On the other hand, the EPP and ECR have opposed the directive, requesting its withdrawal and posing threats to obstruct it in the Parliament [3][5].
- Given the ongoing political tensions, the EU Commission is considering halting the legislative process for the Green Claims Directive, a proposal aimed at regulating environmental claims by businesses, due to concerns about its complexity aligning with the Commission's simplification agenda [1][2].
- The withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive will not nullify existing marketing rules or the effectiveness of the Green Transition Directive, scheduled to be enforced in September 2026 [5].
- The withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive has sparked frustration among liberal and socialist groups, who see it as an unjustified disruption that undermines progress and the legislative process, while right-wing and conservative political groups, like the EPP and ECR, have been advocating for its withdrawal [1].
