Green Claims: we count on the European Parliament to bring more clarity to the proposal

HOTREC takes note of MEP Engerer and MEP Ansip report 2023/0085(COD), on “Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims” and on the further amendments that have been presented by Members of the European Parliament.

HOTREC supports a general EU framework that protects consumers and companies from greenwashing, improves legal certainty and levels the playing field within the Single Market. But such a framework must be proportionate, and balanced. It should be easy for companies to apply and inform consumers about their choices.

Overall, our main objectives for the up-coming vote at the ENVI and IMCO committees scheduled for February 2024 are the following:

• Micro-enterprises and SMEs should implement the verification and certification requirements if they so request.
• Innovation and quality for private operators, as well as to public authorities, to publish new labels should not be hindered.
• Member States should be able to set up their own penalty systems for the implementation of the proposed legislation.

We count on the support of the MEPs to take our views into account and support the industry to comply with the upcoming legislation.