On June 20, 2025, the European Commission announced its intention to withdraw a proposal designed to tackle “greenwashing” by ensuring that environmental claims made by companies are accurate, substantiated, and independently verified. The Green Claims proposal, introduced in March 2023 as part of the European Green Deal framework, aimed to establish more stringent guidelines for companies regarding their environmental assertions. This withdrawal marks a significant rollback of the Green Deal initiatives and follows earlier legislative simplifications that reduced the effectiveness of other proposed measures, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
The timing of this announcement is particularly notable, occurring just before a scheduled meeting between the Polish EU Council presidency and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), which was anticipated to grant the proposal its final endorsement prior to formal adoption. Many stakeholders were caught off guard by the Commission’s late-stage decision, especially since negotiations were reportedly progressing toward a successful conclusion. The lack of detailed reasoning from Commission officials during inquiries only added to the confusion, sparking frustration among those involved in the trilogue negotiations.
Chief negotiators, including socialist MEP Delara Burkhardt and liberal MEP Sandro Gozi, expressed their commitment to continue discussions despite the Commission’s announcement. Concerns were raised about the Commission’s interference in legislative proceedings, with members of Parliament’s negotiating team labeling it an “unacceptable” unilateral action. Similarly, a spokesperson from Poland’s EU Council presidency indicated a readiness to continue engaging constructively in negotiations until the Commission issues a formal decision regarding the withdrawal.
The implications of this decision extend beyond the immediate legislative context, raising crucial questions about the Commission’s authority to retract its own proposals. While EU treaties do not explicitly grant the Commission the power to withdraw proposals, a 2015 ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union affirmed the Commission’s right of initiative, including withdrawal under certain conditions, such as institutional deadlock or obsolescence of the proposal. Critics argue that neither of these conditions applies in this scenario, suggesting that the Commission’s actions may overstep its mandate and disrupt the institutional balance by effectively vetoing the legislative process.
Furthermore, the decision to withdraw the Green Claims proposal sparks broader discussions about the future of environmental legislation in the EU. As context reveals a significant push against greenwashing, this proposal’s removal raises urgent questions regarding the efficacy of self-regulation among companies and the potential for future accountability mechanisms. Moreover, this action could reflect a growing tension between member states’ interests and the overarching EU agenda for environmental sustainability.
The unfolding situation could set a worrying precedent for how the European Commission manages its proposals and interacts with other legislative bodies. With accusations of premature withdrawals undermining negotiated progress, the EU’s commitment to environmental integrity may be called into question if similar actions continue. The immediate future of the Green Claims Directive remains uncertain, but the decision highlights the complex dynamics of European governance and the challenges of maintaining a unified approach to pressing issues like climate change and corporate accountability.
