The so-called directive on ecological claims supplements the already approved EU ban on greenwashing . It defines what kind of information companies must provide to justify their environmental marketing claims in the future. It also creates a framework and timelines for reviewing evidence and approving claims, and specifies what will happen to companies that break the law.

Verification system and sanctions

MEPs agreed with the Commission that companies should submit any future environmental marketing claims for approval before they are used. According to the received text, the claims would be assessed by accredited verifiers within 30 days. Companies that break the rules can be excluded from procurement, lose their income and face a fine of at least 4 % of their annual turnover. (More on europarl.europa.eu)