MEPs ban bogus ‘greenwashing’ claims

BOGUS climate-friendly advertising claims are to be banned under new laws voted in by MEPs yesterday.

In a move to tackle so-called ‘greenwashing’, MEPs voted by a strong majority of 593 to 21 in favour of the law approving bans on ‘green’ product labels that are unprovable or based on carbon offsetting alone. The rules will now be put into law by each EU member state, and are expected to take effect in 2026.

Greenwashing is a term used to describe bogus claims about the positive impact a company, product or service has on the environment. Under the rules, products with built-in features that limit how long they can last or those designed not to last will be barred from sale. People will also be made aware of how easy something will be to repair and how long it should last.

Dublin Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe said consumers will be better protected from bogus ‘green’ product labels and goods that are not made to last under the new EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition. In Strasbourg yesterday, he said: ‘Whether you’re buying a toaster or a washing machine, consumers want longer-lasting products and they should know, from the moment they buy a product, how long it should last and how easy it will be to repair.

‘That’s what this new law is about: giving power back to consumers and providing them with the reliable information they need to make an informed decision at the point of sale. By introducing new information requirements on repairability, an EUwide guarantee label and a ban on product features that limit their lifespan, this new law will equip consumers with the tools they need to do that.’