“Ecological choice”, “balanced brand”, “70 % recycled packaging” or symbols depicting a green leaf or tree – these are examples of environmental statements on products. According to the EC, as much as 40 percent of them can mislead.
The assumption of the project was to combat the so -called Greenwashing (i.e. false or misleading information that a given product is ecological) and regulating the way companies can promote their products and services as “green” or “environmentally friendly”.
The European Commission presented a proposal in March 2023. Since then, negotiations on the shape of the regulations that were to end in June this year lasted in Brussels.
“The project was withdrawn, “said EC spokesman Maciej Bereststecki on Friday. However, he did not want to answer a number of questions about the reasons.
The withdrawal of the project had previously argued, among others Two large political groups at the EP, the European People's Party (to which PO and PSL belong) and European conservatives and reformers (to which PiS belongs).
Both groups believe that the directive project imposes an excessive administrative burden on companies and does not contain a clear analysis of costs and benefits.
Read also: Yes, companies mislead us. They pretend they are more eco than they really
The Czech MEP Danuse Nerudova wrote in a message published on Friday that she is glad that the Commission listened to EPL's fears, and hopes that it will open the door to “a more balanced and effective approach.”
“The proposal is too complicated and there is a lack of a special assessment of the effects, which would show that the benefits of it outweigh the burdens she would impose on enterprises. I fully support the purpose of combating greenwashing, but we need regulations that are clear, proportional and based on evidence. Less bureaucracy and more competitiveness – that's what we promised citizens and enterprises and still We are obliged – she emphasized.
