The EP accepted the proposal on the prohibition of misleading environmental labeling

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Adopted with 544 votes, 18 against and 17 abstentions, the proposal aims to increase consumer awareness, help consumers find truly environmentally friendly goods, and encourage businesses to offer more durable and sustainable products. The MEPs want to ensure that only those who can prove these claims can use environmentally friendly, natural, biodegradable, climate-neutral and other eco-references on labels. They would also put an end to the fact that some manufacturers declare the entire product to be environmentally friendly in the event that only part of the claims are true. In their opinion, the product brochures should also be simplified, and only the eco-labels of the authorities and official certification systems should be allowed.

The EP would introduce new regulations in several areas

Regarding durability, the EP would not allow the usability of a particular good to be limited if the consumer uses the product with other manufacturers’ devices, spare parts or accessories, such as other chargers or ink cartridges. Buyers should be informed about possible limitations of repairability, so that consumers choose more durable and easier-to-repair products. The representatives are also advocating the introduction of a separate warranty label, on which, in addition to the statutory warranty period, it would also be indicated whether it can be extended and, if so, for how long. With this, quality products would receive more attention, and it would be more worthwhile for businesses to focus on durability, they wrote. With the adoption of the proposal, negotiations between the European Parliament and the member states regarding the final text of the directive establishing the new rules can begin, they informed.

Proof of real environmental protection is also an important issue at home

Edina Tóth, the representative of the European Parliament (EP) of Fidesz, in her statement sent to MTI, wrote that the adoption of the report on the prohibition of misleading environmental protection claims and labeling is a great success for the Fidesz EP representative group, as it helps to avoid the harmful practice of double quality and to increase can the sustainability of products and the economy. “We will no longer give space to businesses that present themselves as environmentally friendly, while this does not show at all in their operations, and their misleading claims about their products and services cannot be justified,” he said. In order to strengthen consumer confidence, an effective regulation can strengthen the credibility of all real corporate “greening”, stated Edina Tóth, and then added: “the green product should be truly green, let’s continue on the green path together and together eliminate bad commercial practices harmful to consumers “.

MTI