The European Commission has clarified that it has not withdrawn the Green Claims Directive, following widespread confusion sparked by a statement last week that suggested the proposal might be pulled ahead of final negotiations.
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The Directive, introduced in March 2023 as part of the European Green Deal, aims to tackle greenwashing by requiring companies to substantiate voluntary environmental claims with scientific evidence, undergo independent verification and use only credible eco-labels.
Uncertainty over the future of the legislation emerged after the European People’s Party (EPP) formally requested the Commission withdraw the proposal, citing concerns about compliance costs for microenterprises – defined as firms with fewer than 10 employees and annual revenues below €2 million.
The Commission’s spokesperson then said at a press conference that it “intends to withdraw the Green Claims proposal”, prompting the cancellation of a trilogue meeting scheduled for June 23 to finalise the law.
However, a follow-up statement from the Commission clarified that no formal withdrawal has taken place. The Commission said its intent was to consider withdrawal only if microenterprises remained within the scope of the directive, due to concerns over administrative burden.
A Commission official later said that there had been no reversal in its commitment to the Green Claims agenda and that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen continues to support the proposal.
The situation has drawn criticism from members of the European Parliament, who said that the handling of the matter could undermine trust in the legislative process.
The Directive’s future now depends on whether member states can agree on the exemption for microenterprises and whether political consensus can be rebuilt in both the Council and Parliament.
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