Governance & Policy
Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive
European Union directive banning generic environmental claims and offset-based climate-neutral product claims, and tightening rules on sustainability labels and durability information.
Definition
The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, Directive (EU) 2024/825, amends EU consumer-protection law to combat greenwashing. It bans generic environmental claims without proof, prohibits claims that a product is climate neutral based on offsetting, restricts sustainability labels to approved schemes, and requires better information on product durability and repairability.
Quick reference
At a glance
- Subject
- Governance & Policy
- Editorial status
- Editorial draft
- Definition status
- Established
- Last updated
- 19 August 2026
- Also known as
- ECGT · Empowering Consumers Directive · Directive (EU) 2024/825
Overview
What it means
From its September 2026 application date, vague terms such as "eco-friendly" and offset-based "carbon neutral" product claims become unlawful across the EU.
How it is used
Marketing and legal teams audit claim inventories against the banned-practices list; enforcement authorities prepare national transposition measures.
Why it matters
It converts anti-greenwashing principles into a blacklist of prohibited commercial practices, directly reshaping sustainability marketing in the EU.
Review
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