Today in Strasbourg, during the second day of the European Parliament’s plenary session, a debate took place on the directive aimed at strengthening the position of consumers in the green transition. ECR MEPs Beata Mazurek and Adam Bielan spoke during the discussion.
Beata Mazurek said that in recent years, greenwashing has become a serious problem that may escalate as the EU pushes forward with the Green Deal. She noted that empowering consumers under this directive primarily means providing them with clear and reliable information about products, thereby enabling them to make better choices when purchasing them. “This also means an end to paying a premium price for products that are improperly labeled or bear claims such as ‘environmentally friendly,’ ‘climate neutral,’ or ‘eco-friendly,’” added the Polish politician.
Beata Mazurek also highlighted important changes that were strongly advocated for during the negotiations. The MEP explained that these changes aim to increase the visibility of warranty information through reminders at points of sale and, in some cases, on product packaging. She noted that more than half of European consumers are unaware that all goods are covered by at least a two-year legal warranty in the EU. “We are also introducing a voluntary and free product durability guarantee, which, simply put, will be an extension of the statutory warranty,” noted the PiS MEP.
“I believe that our work will put an end once and for all to pseudo-eco marketing and create a solid legal framework to protect consumers from it in the single market, because that is, after all, what we are all striving for,” she concluded.
Adam Bielan said that the proposal under discussion is crucial for strengthening the position of consumers in the European Union and combating unfair commercial practices. “This initiative will increase transparency regarding sustainable products, allowing consumers to make informed choices based on detailed information about durability and reparability,” he emphasized. The politician added that the proposal balances regulatory measures with market dynamics, supporting innovation for European businesses.
The MEP also considers it important that the proposal includes a voluntary guarantee mechanism, promoting a legal framework that strengthens market functioning without imposing obligations. “We are not imposing the Green Deal—instead, we are making it attractive and beneficial for businesses and consumers,” Bielan argued.
As he emphasized, the inclusion of the review clause proposed by the ECR Group reflects a forward-looking approach to this issue. “It is extremely important to assess the regulations concerning digital services and software and to ensure that they are neither overly burdensome nor unnecessary,” he noted. The Polish politician expressed hope that this clause would protect the development of digital technologies so that it is not stifled, and would promote a balance between environmental goals and technological progress.
