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04 July 2025

Thank you once again for your support on the joint statement, now signed by 15 organisations, urging policymakers not to support the current Green Claims Directive proposal. Please find the final version attached. The statement is currently being shared with key policymakers across the relevant institutions.

As an update, trilogue negotiations remain on hold due to Italy’s continued opposition to the current Council mandate. We will keep you informed as soon as there are any new developments.

Statement can be downloaded below.

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01 July 2025

Below is an update on the current status on the Green Claims Directive and our proposed next steps.

Earlier this week, the Commission confirmed its intention to not withdraw the Directive. However, Italy is still opposing the Council mandate, effectively blocking the negotiations. While we do not know when and under which conditions negotiations will resume, FESI has been actively involved in conversations with industry associations to discuss next steps.

FESI, together with other industry associations, remains committed to support a robust and workable framework that takes into account our priorities. The current status of the negotiations is not going in this direction. In this context, AIM has shared with us a joint statement asking legislators to not support the proposal in its current form.

25 June 2025

At today’s launch of the EU PEFCR for Apparel and Footwear, Emmanuelle Maire, Head of the Commission’s DG ENVI Unit on Circular Economy, Sustainable Production & Consumption, clarified that the Green Claims Directive has not been withdrawn, despite what was communicated by an official spokesperson on Friday. The Commission confirmed that the final trilogue initially scheduled for Monday was postponed following Italy’s last-minute opposition to the Council’s negotiating mandate, as previously communicated to you.

It is now up to the Council to find an agreement to resume negotiations with the Parliament. Alongside many other business associations, we continue to advocate for a balanced and considered negotiation process that avoids rushed decisions and results in a practical, effective framework.

23 June 2025

This is a follow up to the email sent to you on Friday where we reported on the Commission’s statement indicating its intention to withdraw the Green Claims Directive. Please note that the Commission has not officially confirmed or withdrawn the Directive yet.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Earlier today, Parliament rapporteurs Tiemo Wölken (S&D, DE) and Sandro Gozi (Renew, FR) held a press conference condemning the Commission’s position. They argued that the Commission cannot unilaterally withdraw a legislative proposal in response to political pressure and suggested that the statement may have stemmed from a miscommunication between the Commission’s spokesperson and senior officials.

Meanwhile, the Commission’s announcement has caused significant chaos within the Council. Italy used the momentum to oppose the Council’s negotiating mandate, effectively blocking today’s trilogue, as their opposition removed the qualified majority required to proceed. As a result, the Polish Presidency cancelled the trilogue at the last minute. The main issue cited as the reason for this political blockage appears to be a disagreement over the inclusion of SMEs in the scope of the Directive, a point supported by Council but opposed by the Parliament, and which was due to be negotiated today.

FESI continues to monitor any relevant developments closely and will share further updates as the situation evolves. Tomorrow, we will also have a call with other business associations to discuss possible next steps.

FESI POSITION AND STATEMENT ON THE ISSUE

Below is a statement FESI submitted to GlobalData today summarising our current position:

Following recent media reports suggesting that the European Commission intends to withdraw the Green Claims Directive, FESI would like to underline that, according to our sources, this decision is not yet officially confirmed. We therefore urge caution before drawing final conclusions. (see here)

FESI supports the overall objectives of the Green Claims Directive, namely, to enhance transparency and consumer trust by ensuring credible environmental communication. However, we have consistently advocated for a pragmatic and proportionate approach. Co-legislators should avoid rushing decisions that could lead to unclear, impractical and overlapping rules.

Specifically, we support:

• Rejecting the introduction of national methodologies for substantiating claims. This preliminary agreement reached by co-legislators risks introducing diverging rules, fragmenting the Single Market and undermining the Directive’s goal of harmonisation, legal certainty, and consumer trust.

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• The inclusion of a simplified procedure for substantiating less complex environmental claims, which would avoid excessive administrative burdens while preserving credibility and trust;

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• Clarification on how substances of concern are addressed, ensuring the framework does not lead to disproportionate bans that overlook existing risk management mechanisms;

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It is also important to recall that the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (already adopted) addresses misleading environmental claims and sets clear consumer protection rules. The Green Claims Directive should therefore complement, rather than duplicate, these provisions, focusing primarily on substantiating voluntary claims with clear and predictable rules. FESI remains committed to constructive dialogue and stands ready to support policymakers in developing a workable, coherent, and effective framework that supports Europe’s green transition without creating unnecessary barriers for businesses or consumers.