Delivering More Robust and Environmentally Sustainable Products
The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) support proposed measures to enhance product labeling, increase product durability, and combat false advertising. The plan seeks to encourage businesses to deliver more robust and environmentally sustainable products while also assisting consumers in making environmentally friendly decisions.
The proposal for a new directive on empowering consumers for the transition to a green economy was just passed by the plenary with 544 votes in favor, 18 votes against, and 17 abstentions.
The European Parliament (EP) approved negotiating mandate foresees banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” “biodegradable,” “climate neutral” or “eco” if these do not come with detailed evidence.
Additionally, it attempts to outlaw environmental claims that are primarily based on carbon offset programs. It will also be unlawful to make claims regarding a product’s entire functionality when the claim only applies to a small portion of it or to state that it can be used for a specific period or with a specific level of intensity when those statements are untrue.
MEPs anticipate permitting only environmental sustainability labels based on recognized certification schemes or developed by public agencies to be used to streamline product information.
The EP aims to prohibit adding design elements that shorten a product’s lifespan or cause goods to break down too soon to make them endure longer. Furthermore, manufacturers shouldn’t be permitted to restrict a product’s functioning when it is utilized with consumables, spare parts, or accessories made by other businesses.
The European Parliament claims that buyers would have to be made aware of any repair limits before purchasing to enable them to choose more durable and repairable goods. MEPs also suggest a new guarantee label that would include both the period of the legally mandated guarantee and any potential extensions that producers would be willing to grant. This would draw attention to high-quality products and encourage businesses to prioritize durability.
National and European policymakers should implement regulations ensuring that mechanical methods remain the primary recycling option for maximum CO2 reduction and circularity score, stresses ZWE’s Chemical Recycling and Plastic-to-Fuels policy officer Lauriane Veillard.
For the packaging industry, she recommends any claims made at the product level should be based on an assessment done at each batch, where the mixing of input occurs. The final mix shall be allocated proportionally to all outputs, “otherwise, any of these claims would lead to greenwashing practices and undermine consumers’ trust in environmental claims,” she told PackagingInsights.
