Directive (EU) 2024/825, adopted by the European Parliament and Council on 28 February 2024, amends Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU. Its primary objective is to empower consumers in the green transition by addressing misleading commercial practices and providing better access to clear and verifiable information, to ensure they make sustainable consumption choices. 

In particular, the Directive tackles misleading environmental claims, commonly known as greenwashing, which include labels like 'environmentally friendly,' 'eco-friendly,' or 'biodegradable,' without substantiating recognised and relevant environmental performance. Furthermore, it prohibits the display of sustainability labels that are not founded on a certification scheme or not authorised by public authorities. Traders must ensure such labels adhere to minimum standards of transparency and credibility, with the process overseen by an independent third party, in alignment with international, EU, or national standards. The Directive also addresses claims about products' environmental impacts that rely on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions, potentially misleading consumers regarding the true environmental footprint of the product and its supply chain. Additionally, it targets misleading practices leading to early obsolescence, including false assertions about a product's durability or reparability, and any misleading communications about features designed to limit a product’s lifespan, which traders are aware of but fail to disclose.

By improving consumer awareness and promoting sustainable choices, the Directive aims to enhance the competitiveness of environmentally friendly products and foster a sustainable economy within the EU. The rules introduced by the Directive have to be transposed by Member States by 27 March 2026 and will apply from 27 September 2026.