The Empowering Consumers Directive (2024/825) brings stronger protection against misleading environmental claims and specifically targets greenwashing practices that have proliferated across the market.

Under the new rules, companies will no longer be able to use sustainability labels unless they are backed by official certification schemes or public authorities. The directive expands the EU’s existing catalogue of prohibited misleading commercial practices and introduces additional disclosure requirements for businesses when contracting with consumers.

EU member states must implement the directive by March 27, 2026, with enforcement beginning no later than September 26, 2026. The Czech Parliament is already reviewing draft legislation to bring these changes into national law.