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Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition

The new agreement maintains the main objectives of the directive, but also makes some improvements. These include the inclusion of unfair claims referring to compensation for greenhouse gas emissions in the list of unfair practices, stricter measures against premature obsolescence, the clarification of traders' liability in certain cases and the introduction of a harmonised format to increase the visibility of the voluntary commercial durability guarantee, as well as improvements to the reference to statutory warranty law.

The provisional agreement maintains the main objectives of the directive, but also makes the following important improvements, among others. In detail:

Improving the credibility of sustainability labels by defining the key elements of the certification scheme on which they must be based, where these elements are not determined by public authorities.

Statements on future environmental performance will be more transparent and more closely monitored.

Unfair claims based on offsetting for greenhouse gas emissions will be included in the list of unfair practices. This means that traders will not be able to claim that a product has a neutral, reduced or improved environmental impact based on unverified offsetting programmes.

The liability of traders is clarified with regard to information (or lack of information) on premature obsolescence, unnecessary software updates or the unjustified obligation to purchase spare parts from the original manufacturer. Although these practices are prohibited, the compromise text makes it clear that entrepreneurs are only liable if information is available on the design features that lead to these situations.

Introduction of a harmonised label with information on the manufacturer's commercial guarantee of durability, which also contains a reference to the statutory warranty right. In addition, a harmonised notice containing information on the statutory warranty right will be clearly displayed in shops and on websites.

Transposition period of 24 months to allow member states sufficient time to adapt to the changes in legislation.

Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition

Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition

Objectives:

The provisional agreement maintains the main objectives of the directive, but also makes the following important improvements, among others. In detail:

Further information: