EU Directive Targets Greenwashing with New Regulations for Environmental Claims
The European Union has introduced Directive (EU) 2024/825, aimed at curbing greenwashing by requiring companies to substantiate environmental claims with verifiable evidence. This directive, effective from September 27, 2026, amends existing consumer protection laws to ensure that terms like 'eco', 'green', and 'sustainable' are only used when backed by specific, accessible justification. The directive also mandates that sustainability certifications must be based on third-party verification systems. Companies are required to provide transparency on the durability and real impact of their products, and offset-based claims like 'carbon neutral' are restricted unless they involve actual emission reductions.