🇪🇺 EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT) applies
27 Sep · European Union · Confidence: Official text
What happens
Under Directive (EU) 2024/825, from 27 September 2026 and with no grace period: generic environmental claims (e.g. eco-friendly, green, biodegradable, biobased) are prohibited; carbon-neutral claims based on offsetting are prohibited outright; and sustainability labels not based on a certification scheme are prohibited. Fines can reach 4% of the trader's annual turnover in the Member State(s) concerned. Note: the separate Green Claims Directive, still at proposal stage, was reported in June 2025 to be withdrawn; this does not affect the ECGT, which applies as scheduled.
What to do
Existing stock need not all be scrapped. The common understanding on existing stock issued by the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network in June 2026 accepts pragmatic measures such as covering or correcting claims with stickers and adding explanations at the shelf, provided companies act in good faith and correct without delay. Brands and manufacturers selling into the EU should prepare a written remediation plan before 27 September 2026 rather than relying on packaging changes alone.
Source
Directive (EU) 2024/825
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