EU takes action against greenwashing
As arguments of sustainability and environmental protection are increasingly used for advertising and marketing purposes, the European Union is now taking action against so-called greenwashing. Terms such as “environmentally friendly,” “natural” or “biodegradable” should only be used with verifiable evidence. Stricter requirements should also apply to eco-labels.
The debate about sustainable business practices is currently playing out in all sectors, with the car wash industry being no exception. In the face of increasing customer expectations and stricter legal frameworks, companies are more than ever required to credibly communicate their sustainability efforts. This is not least a response to the public’s increasing awareness of ecological issues and the desire to integrate environmental protection into everyday life – thus also in car washing and maintenance.
New EU Directive
The European Parliament has announced new regulations, the so-called “Green Claims Directive,”. These are aimed at making product labeling more transparent and reliable. This is to be done by banning generic environmental claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” “biodegradable,” “climate neutral” or “eco” unless they can be substantiated.
Changed rules for sustainability labels are also in the pipeline. In the future, these may only be used if they are based on official certification systems or introduced by state institutions, according to a parliamentary statement. The new guidelines are currently still being coordinated in Brussels.
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