{"id":183152,"date":"2026-11-03T07:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T06:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=183152"},"modified":"2026-10-28T15:25:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T14:25:37","slug":"greenwashing-directive-impact-on-the-plastics-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/greenwashing-directive-impact-on-the-plastics-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenwashing Directive: Impact on the Plastics Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-183170\" style=\"width:615px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg-150x113.webp 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2026\/10\/climate-neutral-and-carbon-label-concept-2025-02-21-13-57-47-utc-1.jpg-360x270.webp 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 AIMPLAS<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>From 27 September 2026,\u00a0Directive (EU) 2024\/825\u00a0will apply throughout the EU, tightening the rules on environmental claims, sustainability labels and climate neutrality claims. This article summarises what is changing, the current status of transposition in Spain and which claims companies should review in relation to their products and activities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fight against greenwashing is entering a decisive phase in the European Union.&nbsp;<strong>Directive (EU) 2024\/825<\/strong>, on empowering consumers for the green transition through better protection against unfair practices and through better information, will apply through national legislation from&nbsp;<strong>27 September 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Directive amends two key pieces of consumer protection legislation \u2013 Directive 2005\/29\/EC on unfair commercial practices and Directive 2011\/83\/EU on consumer rights \u2013 and introduces new rules on environmental claims, sustainability labels, climate-related claims, environmental comparisons and future sustainability commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For sectors such as&nbsp;<strong>plastics<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>packaging<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>materials<\/strong>, where terms such as \u201crecyclable\u201d, \u201crecycled\u201d, \u201cbiodegradable\u201d, \u201ccircular\u201d, \u201csustainable\u201d, \u201clow-carbon\u201d or \u201cclimate-neutral\u201d are commonly used, reviewing commercial communications is becoming an essential compliance issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is greenwashing and what changes under Directive (EU) 2024\/825?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Greenwashing is a marketing strategy in which a company exaggerates or misleadingly presents its environmental efforts in order to improve its image among consumers. As public concern about sustainability has grown, many brands have used terms such as \u201cbiodegradable\u201d, \u201ceco-friendly\u201d or \u201csustainable\u201d on their products without evidence to support them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Directive introduces new rules for environmental claims aimed at consumers. The main changes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Restrictions on generic environmental claims:<\/strong>\u00a0expressions such as \u201cenvironmentally friendly\u201d, \u201cgreen\u201d or \u201csustainable\u201d may not be used in a generic way unless they can be justified by recognised excellent environmental performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ban on overstating environmental benefits:<\/strong>\u00a0an advantage that applies only to one part or specific feature of a product may not be attributed to the product as a whole.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greater control over sustainability labels and marks:<\/strong>\u00a0voluntary labels must be based on a certification scheme or established by a public authority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Restrictions on climate neutrality claims:<\/strong>\u00a0certain claims of neutral, reduced or positive climate impact are prohibited when they are based on emissions offsetting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Future environmental commitments:<\/strong>\u00a0these must be supported by clear, verifiable plans with measurable targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is happening in Spain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Member States were required to transpose the Directive by&nbsp;<strong>27 March 2026<\/strong>&nbsp;and must apply its provisions from&nbsp;<strong>27 September 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With only a few weeks to go before this date, several Member States, including France, Italy and Germany, have already incorporated the Directive into their national legal systems. In Spain, however, transposition has not yet been completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Draft Sustainable Consumption Act<\/strong>&nbsp;is currently being processed and is intended to incorporate, among other EU legislation, Directive (EU) 2024\/825. While transposition in Spain is being completed, companies should already begin adapting their environmental claims and communications, particularly when marketing their products in other Member States that have already incorporated the Directive into national law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>What happens<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>27 March 2026<\/strong><\/td><td>Deadline for Member States to adopt and publish the transposition provisions.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>27 September 2026<\/strong><\/td><td>Date from which the new provisions on environmental claims apply.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will this affect the plastics industry?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For companies in the sector, it will be particularly important to review the claims used on packaging, labels, technical data sheets, websites and advertising campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Issues that will need to be assessed include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>claims such as \u201crecyclable\u201d, \u201crecycled\u201d, \u201cbiodegradable\u201d, \u201ccompostable\u201d, \u201ccircular\u201d or \u201csustainable\u201d;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>percentages of recycled content and their correct scope;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>environmental comparisons between products;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>claims relating to carbon footprint or climate neutrality;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>environmental labels and marks used on products and in commercial communications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies will need to have sufficient technical information to substantiate the environmental characteristics they communicate and to prevent a claim that is technically correct from becoming misleading because of its wording or scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should companies do before 27 September?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The application of Directive (EU) 2024\/825 from&nbsp;<strong>27 September 2026<\/strong>&nbsp;will bring a significant change to the way companies communicate the environmental characteristics of their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the plastics industry, the challenge will be to ensure that environmental claims are&nbsp;<strong>clear, proportionate, verifiable and supported by sufficient technical evidence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At AIMPLAS, we help companies review their communications and obtain the technical and regulatory basis required to reduce greenwashing risks and communicate their environmental progress with greater confidence and transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can AIMPLAS help companies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At AIMPLAS, we can support companies in adapting to this new framework through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technical and legal review of environmental claims and labelling<\/strong>, assessing their compliance with applicable legislation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Testing and material characterisation<\/strong>\u00a0to provide technical support for the claims made.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Studies on recyclability, recycled content, biodegradability and compostability<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticsacademy.net\/courses\/directive-on-combating-greenwashing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Specialist training<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0so that technical, commercial, marketing and sustainability teams understand the new requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When does the Anti-Greenwashing Directive apply?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 27 September 2026. Member States were required to transpose it by 27 March 2026, but its provisions apply from September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can I continue using my own sustainability label?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only if it is based on a certification scheme or has been established by a public authority. Voluntary labels without a certification basis may no longer be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can I say that my product is &#8220;climate-neutral&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not when the claim is based on emissions offsetting. The Directive prohibits certain claims of neutral, reduced or positive climate impact where they rely on offsetting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Does it affect me if Spain has not yet transposed the Directive?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, if you market your products in other Member States that have already incorporated it into national law, such as France, Italy or Germany. It is advisable to adapt your claims without waiting for Spain\u2019s proposed Sustainable Consumption Act<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can a technically correct claim still be misleading?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. A truthful claim can still be misleading because of its wording or scope, for example if it attributes to the entire product an advantage that only applies to one of its parts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From 27 September 2026,\u00a0Directive (EU) 2024\/825\u00a0will apply throughout the EU, tightening the rules on environmental claims, sustainability labels and climate neutrality claims. This article summarises what is changing, the current status of transposition in Spain and which claims companies should review in relation to their products and activities. The fight against greenwashing is entering a [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":183170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"This article summarises what is changing, the current status of transposition in Spain and which claims companies should review in relation to their products and activities","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[11270,12239,15891,21948,12679,5528],"supplier":[11215,5585],"class_list":["post-183152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-biodegradability","tag-compostability","tag-environmental","tag-greenwashing","tag-recyclability","tag-sustainability","supplier-aimplas-asociacion-de-investigacion-de-materiales-plasticos-y-conexas","supplier-european-union"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=183152"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183177,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183152\/revisions\/183177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/183170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=183152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=183152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=183152"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=183152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}