EU Ban on Misleading Environmental Claims

The European Parliament and EU member states have reached a political agreement to ban generic environmental claims like “climate neutral” and “biodegradable” unless backed by recognized environmental evidence. Claims based on emissions offsetting schemes suggesting a product’s environmental impact will be prohibited. This move aims to curb misleading marketing practices. Some NGOs welcomed this decision, signalling the end of the era of offsetting and highlighting concerns about the accuracy of emissions quantification. The legislation also addresses unethical commercial practices and early obsolescence issues. The agreement will undergo a vote early next year, with member states having 24 months to incorporate the rules into national law.