This new European framework essentially strengthens the fight against so-called greenwashing — marketing practices in which companies provide ambiguous, exaggerated or false information about environmental benefits to attract customers — and extends the obligations of transparency and truthfulness in commercial communications.

What does the Directive consist of?

The Directive mainly amends two key pieces of EU law:

• Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices and
• Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights.

Its approach is twofold:

Together, these measures aim to enable consumers to compare and choose products in a more informed and sustainable manner, and to enable companies to compete on the basis of facts — not ambiguous claims — about sustainability.

What is greenwashing and how does this Directive combat it?

Greenwashing refers to marketing practices in which a company presents its products or services as more environmentally friendly than they actually are or uses vague terms without verifiable support. The Directive acts on two fronts here:

• Extends the practices considered unfair when they mislead consumers about environmental benefits.
• It requires that environmental claims be backed by clear, objective, publicly verifiable commitments accompanied by implementation plans with allocated resources.

This implies that a company cannot simply claim that a product is “environmentally friendly” or “neutral” without providing verifiable and accessible evidence of how that conclusion was reached.

Key deadlines for companies in the EU

What obligations will companies have?

Companies operating in the EU market must:

Furthermore, traders may be required to verify certain claims through independent third-party experts, especially when referring to specific sustainability objectives or targets.

Conclusion

Directive (EU) 2024/825 represents an important step by the European Union to combat greenwashing and strengthen consumer rights in their transition towards more sustainable consumption patterns.

For companies, this implies increased obligations in terms of transparency, verification and reporting of environmental and social information, with a direct impact on communication, marketing and regulatory compliance strategies.

Is your company ready to comply with Directive (EU) 2024/825 and avoid penalties for greenwashing? Contact us for expert advice.

La entrada New Directive (EU) 2024/825 and the approach against greenwashing: what is it and what implications will it have for businesses? se publicó primero en Eurofins EcoGestor.

1. Understand the company’s business

The first step in identifying applicable environmental regulations is to understand how the company’s activities interact with the environment. Some key questions include:

2. Identify environmental legislation in Spain

In Spain, environmental legislation is structured at different hierarchical levels:

3. Review European standards and their application in Spain

Spain, as a member of the European Union, is obliged to comply with European environmental regulations. This includes the implementation of directives and regulations affecting various areas such as waste management, climate change and air quality. It is crucial to review how these European rules are transposed into Spanish law and how they are applied in practice.

4. Consult specialised sources and digital tools

To ensure that the company complies with all applicable environmental regulations, it is advisable to use specialised digital tools such as EcoGestor Legislation. This software facilitates:

5. Conduct environmental audits

Environmental audits, whether internal or external, are essential to assess the degree of regulatory compliance and to identify areas for improvement. These audits should review documentation, verify on-site operations and assess environmental risks.

6. Keeping informed and adapting to legislative changes

Environmental regulations in Spain are constantly evolving. Keeping up to date is a complicated task that requires daily dedication to review all the official bulletins, both at state, regional and local level. This effort is essential to ensure that the company complies with all legal obligations and does not incur penalties.

7. Implement an environmental management system (EMS).

Adopting an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 can be an effective strategy for integrating legal compliance into all company operations. A well-implemented EMS not only ensures compliance, but also improves efficiency and reduces environmental impact.

Conclusion

Identifying the environmental regulations that affect your company is an ongoing and complex process, especially in a regulatory environment such as Spain. The large number of regulations and the frequency of updates require daily monitoring of official bulletins. Tools such as EcoGestor Legislación are essential to manage this challenge, allowing companies to keep up to date with regulations and ensure effective compliance. By following these steps, your company will not only avoid penalties, but also contribute to a more sustainable environment and better management of your resources.

Request your free DEMO here and find out how we can help you.

La entrada How to identify the environmental regulations that affect a company? se publicó primero en Eurofins EcoGestor.