Directive (EU) 2024/825: Requirements and deadlines
Directive (EU) 2024/825, the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, bans misleading environmental claims and requires clear product information. Its rules are now enforceable.
The European Parliament and Council adopted the directive on 28 February 2024. Also known as ECD or EmpCo, it amends the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive. Breaking the new rules counts as an unfair commercial practice under EU consumer law.
28 Feb 2024
Directive adopted
The European Parliament and Council formally adopted Directive (EU) 2024/825.
27 Mar 2026
National transposition deadline
All 27 EU Member States must transpose the directive into national law.
27 Sep 2026
Enforcement began
The new consumer and environmental-claim rules become enforceable across the EU.
Practices banned in all cases
The directive adds the following practices to Annex I of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. They are prohibited without requiring a case-by-case assessment of whether a consumer was misled.
Offset-based product claims
A product cannot be called carbon neutral, CO2 compensated, climate positive, net-zero certified, or climate neutral based on offsets outside its value chain.
Unsupported generic claims
Terms such as eco-friendly, green, ecological, climate friendly, bio-based, and biodegradable need recognized excellent environmental performance.
Self-created sustainability labels
Labels must be established by a public authority or use independent third-party certification open on non-discriminatory terms.
Unsubstantiated future targets
Claims such as net zero by 2030 need public commitments, measurable milestones, dedicated resources, and independent progress monitoring.
Whole-product claims about one part
A claim cannot cover an entire product or company when it applies only to one component or lifecycle stage, such as recycled packaging.
Consumer Rights Directive requirements
- Legal guarantee notice: Retailers must remind consumers of the mandatory minimum two-year EU legal guarantee.
- Durability labels: The Commission will establish harmonized labels for free commercial durability guarantees longer than two years.
- Early obsolescence: Businesses cannot conceal lifespan-limiting features such as software that slows down older hardware.
- Repair transparency: Sellers must disclose available spare parts, repair manuals, software support, and reparability scores before purchase.
- Consumable replacement: Products cannot deceptively prompt consumers to replace a consumable before replacement is technically necessary.
The EU regulatory matrix
Baseline
ECD / EmpCo
Sets marketing and consumer-information rules under the UCPD and CRD to stop greenwashing.
Claims
Green Claims Directive
A separate proposal on explicit environmental claims. Its status and final requirements remain uncertain.
Products
ESPR
Sets physical product requirements and establishes the Digital Product Passport framework.
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