On 31 May 2023, the European Union transmitted to the WTO a draft Directive on the substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (known as the “Green Claims” Directive). Its aim is to protect consumers and companies by preventing greenwashing practices. The text is open to comments for 90 days.
Notification Date
31 May 2023
Products covered
All products
Title of the notified document
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive)
Content
This proposal for a directive concerns voluntary environmental claims in business-to-consumer commercial communications.
It sets out requirements for the substantiation and communication of voluntary environmental claims and labels on goods, services and organisations. It also sets out requirements for environmental labelling schemes. As such, the notified draft sets down technical regulations covering: terminology, symbols, packaging, marking and labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method.
The notified draft also introduces a procedure of ex-ante verification of the claim’s fulfilment of the technical requirements, i.e. a conformity assessment.
Objective
The notified draft aims at protecting consumers and companies from the misleading practice of unclear or poorly-substantiated environmental claims (“greenwashing”).
• Environmental Protection: The proposal on environmental claims also supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and contributes to resolving the triple crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
• Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection.
Key points of the Directive
Article 1 - …
