Green Claims Directive: EU Commission Bows to Pressure, U-Turns on Anti-Greenwashing Rules
Let's Cut to the Chase:
EU reverses stance on greenwashing, drawing applause from corporate alliances - EU rule adjustments welcomed by business affiliations, aiming to curb deceptive 'green' practices (greenwashing).
The European Commission has surprisingly announced the withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive, a proposal aimed at combating greenwashing. The decision has come just days before final negotiations were due to take place, leaving many stakeholders taken aback.
The Lowdown:
Proposed in March 2023, the Green Claims Directive was part of the European Green Deal and aimed to ensure companies' environmental claims are accurate, substantiated, and verified. However, the Commission's recent decision to withdraw the proposal is seen as a setback for the Green Deal's ambitions.
This U-turn appears to be influenced by political pressure from business associations and right-leaning lawmakers. Conservative and business groups in the EU, along with right-wing MEPs, pressured the Commission to scrap the file. The threat of blocking the proposal may have swayed the Commission's decision.
This move is part of a broader pattern of rollbacks on major Green Deal initiatives following efforts to simplify EU legislation through "Omnibus" papers, which have narrowed the scope of measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Phew, Stakeholders Responded:
Felix Pakleppa, CEO of the Central Association of the German Construction Industry, welcomed the decision, stating that more climate protection needs practical solutions, not new hurdles for businesses. Holger Schwannecke, General Secretary of the Central Association of German Crafts, echoed this sentiment.
However, the chairwoman of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), Ramona Pop, criticized the decision, emphasizing the need for clear rules for advertising with sustainability promises. She urged the commission not to withdraw the proposal.
Here's the Gist:
The withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive has sparked concern among environmental NGOs, who urge the directive not to be scrapped. They emphasize the need for strong measures to deter false green claims. The U-turn is seen as an unfortunate step back in the fight against greenwashing and the pursuit of environmental protections.
The European Commission's decision to withdraw the Green Claims Directive, intended to combat greenwashing, has sparked debate within the finance and business sectors, as well as in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics. This U-turn, influenced by pressure from business associations and right-leaning lawmakers, is concerning for environmental NGOs who believe in the necessity of strong measures to deter false green claims, and may be viewed as a setback for the Green Deal's ambitions.
Stakeholders in the general-news field, including Holger Schwannecke, General Secretary of the Central Association of German Crafts, and Felix Pakleppa, CEO of the Central Association of the German Construction Industry, have welcomed the withdrawal, citing practical solutions for businesses and fewer hurdles as their reasoning. On the other hand, Ramona Pop, the chairwoman of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv), has criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of clear rules for advertising with sustainability promises.
The withdrawal of the Green Claims Directive is part of a broader pattern of rollbacks on major Green Deal initiatives, raising questions about the commitment to environmental protections and sustainable business practices.
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