# EU Green Claims Legislation: What You Need to Know - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/04/eu-green-claims-legislation-what-you-need-to-know/ - Published: 2023-04-09T22:31:58-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## EU to Introduce Green Claims Directive to Combat Greenwashing The European Union (EU) has announced that it will be introducing a new law in March 2023. For it’s called the Green Claims Directive. It’s aim is to combat the issue of greenwashing. This is in response to a survey conducted last year. It most interestingly found that more than half of environmental [claims made by companies were either misleading](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/01/sustainable-company-brand-misleading-claims-exposed/) or unfounded [1]. The new law will also require companies to [provide evidence to justify](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/04/columbia-label-a-settlement-with-the-epa/) their green claims. I mean or face penalties. Those which will be proportionate and dissuasive [1]. ## Verifying Environmental Claims with Scientific Evidence The [Green Claims Directive will also require companies](https://greenlivingguy.com/green-living-resources-eco-friendly-products/green-living-companies-plus-more/) to verify their environmental claims. That’s with scientific evidence before communicating them to consumers [2]. This will further ensure that consumers have access to more accurate information. Especially about the environmental impact of products and services they purchase. The law also applies to companies that operate outside of the [EU](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/the-eu-plans-to-sell-more-than-4-4-million-evs-by-2026/). However, it applies to those who sell their products or services within the EU market[ 2]. ![A group of people stands in front of a building displaying a banner that reads& aposgreen claims directive&apos surrounded by various eco friendly products and a car emphasizing environmental awareness](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/ wp-content/uploads/2023/04/create-a-highly-detailed-high-resolution-image-showcasing- the-concept-of-400x300.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 "create-a-highly-detailed-high- resolution-image-showcasing-the-concept-of - The Green Living Guy") A group of people stands in front of a government building adorned with a banner announcing the Green Claims Directive symbolizing the EUs commitment to combating greenwashing ### Standardized Product Lifecycle Analyses to Justify Green Label Claims The new law will require companies to provide standardised [product lifecycle analyses to justify their green](https://greenlivingguy.com/2006/08/first-neutral-co2-global-warming-biodiesel-plant-to-be-built/) label claims [1]. This will ensure that companies are held accountable for the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle. Companies will have ten [days to provide](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/national-geographic-kids-celebrates-earth-day/) evidence to support their claims or face fines [1]. ![An illustrated scene depicting the green claims directive featuring a government building with a flag and various environmental symbols including plants bicycles and eco friendly products set against a vibrant green landscape](https://i0.wp.com/ greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image-1-400x300.png?resize=400%2C300& ssl=1 "image - The Green Living Guy") Illustration representing the Green Claims Directive showcasing various eco friendly products and symbols of sustainability outside a government building #### Addressing the Issue of Vague and Misleading Claims The Green [Claims](https://greenlivingguy.com/2009/10/now-that-the-olympics-are-in-rio-it-symbolizes-many-green-issues-for-the-climate-change-debate/) Directive aims to address the issue of vague and misleading environmental claims made by companies. It will establish an EU-wide methodology to provide more clarity to [consumers on green](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/my-green-organic-mattress-sustainable-sleep-solutions/) products, which could help clean up the environmental claims marketplace [2]. The law will also ban certain phrases, such as “carbon neutral,” from being used in the market [1]. #### NGOs Call for Clear and Common Rules While the Green Claims Directive is a step in the right direction, NGOs are calling for clear and common rules to apply across the EU for all types of claims present in the market [3]. This includes sectors where the Product Environmental Footprint( PEF) or any other life cycle assessment method fail to address all relevant environmental dimensions [3]. ### Conclusion The introduction of the Green [Claims](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/green-living-seth-leitman-a-pioneer-in-sustainability/) Directive is a positive step towards combating the issue of greenwashing and ensuring that companies are held accountable for the environmental impact of their products and services. The law will require companies to provide evidence to support their environmental claims, and companies that fail to do so will face proportionate and dissuasive penalties. However, there is still work to be done to establish clear and common rules across the EU for all types of claims present in the market. **References:** [1] [EU to crack down on greenwashing with ‘proportionate’ …](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/28/eu-to-crack-down-on-greenwashing-with-proportionate-penalties)[ 2] [A ‘greenwashing’ crackdown in Europe hasn’t gone down …](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/24/climate-a-greenwashing-crackdown-in-europe-hasnt-gone-down-well.html)[ 3] [EU Commission prepares to crack down on greenwashing …](https://eeb.org/eu-commission-prepares-to-crack-down-on-greenwashing-with-new-green-claims-law/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)