MEPs have approved draft legislation aimed at enhancing product labelling and durability while cracking down on misleading claims. The proposal for a new directive on empowering consumers for the green transition received overwhelming support in plenary, with 544 votes in favour, 18 against, and 17 abstentions. The primary objective of the directive is to assist consumers in making environmentally friendly choices and to encourage companies to provide more durable and sustainable products.
The approved negotiating mandate includes provisions to ban the use of general environmental claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” “biodegradable,” “climate neutral,” or “eco” unless accompanied by detailed evidence. It also seeks to prohibit environmental claims that are solely based on carbon offsetting schemes. Misleading practices, such as making claims about the entire product when the claim only applies to a specific part, or stating that a product will last for a certain period or can be used at a certain level of intensity when it is not true, will also be forbidden.
To simplify product information, MEPs propose allowing only sustainability labels based on official certification schemes or those established by public authorities.
In the fight against premature obsolescence, Parliament aims to ban design features that deliberately limit a product’s lifespan or cause premature malfunctions. Furthermore, producers will not be allowed to restrict a product’s functionality when used with consumables, spare parts, or accessories made by other companies, such as chargers or ink cartridges.
To aid consumers in selecting longer-lasting and repairable products, buyers must be informed of any repair restrictions before making a purchase. MEPs also suggest introducing a new guarantee label that not only indicates the length of the legally required guarantee but also highlights any additional guarantee extensions offered by producers. This measure aims to promote high-quality goods and incentivize companies to prioritize durability.