The EU recently issued a warning letter to 20 member states that failed to transpose a key greenwashing directive. The Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition was adopted in March 2024. However, some member states appear to be lagging on implementation. In its warning letter, the EU Commission states:
“Today, the European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to 20 Member States… for failing to communicate the complete transposition of the Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Directive (EU) 2024/825).
The Directive improves the reliability and transparency of green claims and sustainability labels. It encourages businesses to adopt more sustainable practices and prevents early obsolescence and greenwashing. It also ensures that shoppers have access to better information on a product’s durability and repairability, as well as on their legal guarantee rights. Member States had until 27 March 2026 to transpose the Directive into their national law. To date, the 20 Member States mentioned failed to communicate complete transposition to the Commission.”
The Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition included major changes to EU consumer protection law. These changes banned certain generic environmental claims, including those based on emissions offsets. If the member states fail to adopt the directive at the national level, then the EU Commission is threatening to compel cooperation through a reasoned opinion.
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