Lawmakers in the EU parliament are working on a new bill that aims to prevent misleading product labeling and increase durability. The bill also wants to stop the company’s misleading environmental claims.
The EU parliament has taken serious steps in the last few years to make products more durable and sustainable across the continent. Establishing a standard charging port for tech devices sold in the EU is one of those actions that hopes to reduce e-waste. As well as prevent customers from paying extra to buy a charger when purchasing a new smartphone or tablet.
The lawmakers in the green continent now want to go even greener. By banning misleading ads and generic environmental claims and increasing products durability. The proposed bill aims to empower customers for the “green transition” and encourage companies to launch more sustainable products.
The EU parliament regulates product labeling to prevent false environmental claims
According to the bill details, companies across the EU can no longer make generic claims like “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” “biodegradable,” “climate neutral,” or “eco” if their products can’t uphold these claims. Additionally, any claim based solely on carbon offsetting schemes will be banned in the EU.
The MEPs put forward even more restrictions on product labeling. Making a claim about a product, if that claim is true about a part of the product, will be forbidden.
The EU lawmakers also want to fight early obsolescence in order to make products last longer. As per the new legislation, any design feature limiting a product’s durability or leading to permanent malfunction is not allowed in the continent.
The MEPs further say that a company should not limit a product’s functionality if the consumer wants to use third-party accessories. The seller should also inform buyers of any repair restrictions.
The MEP Biljana Borzan says this legislation will no longer allow the industry to “profit from making consumer goods that break just as the guarantee period is over.” The parliament will soon start negotiations with member states to turn the legislation into a law. Of course, the bill could face opposition from particular companies.