The European Commission plans to withdraw its draft directive on combating greenwashing due to opposition from the European People’s Party (EPP).
During the Commission’s daily briefing on Friday, a spokesperson confirmed the withdrawal of the proposal on environmental claims but did not provide further details.
The draft directive, introduced in 2023, aimed to ensure that companies using green claims for their products or services adhere to certain standards and provide scientific evidence for their claims. It also sought to limit the proliferation of green labels.
However, during negotiations between Member States and the European Parliament, the EPP expressed its desire to discard the entire directive.
In a letter to Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, the EPP argued that existing directives on unfair consumer practices already cover these issues, and that this initiative would result in excessively complex and costly procedures for businesses.
The EPP, supported by the far-right ECR group, was particularly concerned about the proposal requiring independent third-party verification of environmental claims and labels before publication.
The European Commission holds the sole right to propose and withdraw legislative initiatives during the decision-making process between Member States and MEPs.
'Partisan logic'
Sandro Gozi, Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party, MEP for Renew Europe, and rapporteur for the "green claims" directive, has called the decision "shameful" in a statement.
"It is unacceptable that the European People's Party, in tandem with the far-right, is trying to scupper the greenwashing directive, which is a key piece of legislation designed to protect European citizens from corporate environmental fraud."
"When the EPP realised it could not stop the negotiations," Gozi continued, "it tried to get from the Commission what it could not get in Parliament. If President von der Leyen were to give in to this pressure, we would not only be faced with a serious violation of the independence of the College of Commissioners, but also with a clear renunciation of the Commission's institutional duties."
He insisted that the Commission should guarantee the interests of the Union and not become the "political executor" of the EPP and the European far right.
"It would be a betrayal of the European mandate and bend the Commission to partisan logic, which would undermine its legitimacy and the trust of citizens," the Italian-born French MEP underlined, adding that he expects Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall to clarify the reasons for this "shameful" decision.
