With the EU set to withdraw its Green Claims Directive, companies now need transparent, verifiable climate data to back up their climate efforts.
When the EU introduced the Green Claims Directive in 2023, it was meant to crack down on vague and misleading sustainability claims. But as of June 2025, the European Commission has announced plans to withdraw the proposal, a move that leaves a significant gap in climate accountability.
For businesses, this decision doesn’t reduce the demand for sustainability, it increases the pressure to prove it.
Originally proposed in March 2023, the Green Claims Directive was designed to:
In essence, it was about protecting consumers from misleading information and helping companies compete fairly on the basis of proven sustainability.
Now, with the withdrawal of the proposal, there’s no standardized EU-wide requirement to prove a product’s green credentials. But that doesn’t mean companies can stop caring about how they report their impact.
Even without legislation, the pressure to communicate transparently remains strong.
In this new environment, companies can’t afford to make empty promises.
With the regulatory framework uncertain, data is the only constant.
Sustainability teams and procurement leaders need to turn to science-based, traceable methodologies such as:
A PCF measures the carbon footprint of a product across its lifecycle (cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave), providing a clear, quantifiable emissions profile.
Indirect emissions from upstream suppliers to downstream use often make up the majority of a company’s total footprint. Accurate Scope 3 reporting is essential to meet expectations from value chain partners.
A standardized method under ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product or service from raw material extraction to disposal.
These methods aren’t just for compliance they’re also business tools for:
At ReFlow, we specialize in helping companies deliver clear, trustworthy climate data using:
Whether or not the Green Claims Directive moves forward, the companies that invest in verifiable carbon data will gain a competitive edge in procurement, brand trust, and long-term sustainability leadership.
Green claims may no longer be regulated, but transparency is still rewarded. This is a unique opportunity for forward-thinking companies to stand out by backing every claim with science, not slogans.
The European Commission cited concerns about complexity and burden on small businesses after political pressure from Parliament.
Not necessarily. Regulations like the CSRD and investor pressure still drive the need for emissions reporting, especially for Scope 3.
Use science-based tools like LCA, PCFs, and Scope 3 calculations to communicate your sustainability strategy transparently.
We help businesses calculate and communicate verified climate data using ISO-compliant methods and easy-to-use digital tools.