New EU rules against greenwashing: implementing decree published
New EU rules against greenwashing: implementing decree published
With the publication in the Gazzetta Ufficiale (No. 56 of 9 March 2026) of Legislative Decree No. 30 of 20 February 2026, Italy has transposed Directive (EU) 2024/825, strengthening consumer protection and introducing new rules to combat misleading commercial practices relating to environmental claims.
The decree amends the Codice del Consumo and introduces stricter measures to ensure that environmental information on products is clear and, above all, verifiable.
Among the main new features:
🔎 new definitions, including ‘environmental claim’, ‘generic environmental claim’ and ‘sustainability label’
🔎 a ban on generic or unsubstantiated environmental claims
🔎 a ban on the use of sustainability labels that are not based on certification schemes or established by public authorities greater transparency regarding the environmental characteristics of products and their performance over time
The new provisions will apply from 27 September 2026, that is, six months after the deadline for transposition by all Member States of the European Union.
In this context, the role of certification schemes takes on even greater significance.
The Directive stipulates, in fact, that sustainability labels may only be displayed if they are based on certification schemes that meet a series of requirements, such as accessibility, fairness, transparency, impartiality, independence and objectivity.
Plastica Seconda Vita (PSV) is all of this: an accredited certification scheme that involves independent audits carried out by accredited certification bodies, ensuring the traceability and verification of the recycled plastic content in products.
A tool designed to serve businesses and consumers, which fully complies with the principles of transparency, credibility and verifiability required by the new European legislation.
 2024/825, strengthening consumer protection and introducing new rules to combat misleading commercial practices relating to environmental claims.){kind=link}
The decree amends the Codice del Consumo and introduces stricter measures to ensure that environmental information on products is clear and, above all, verifiable.
Among the main new features:
🔎 new definitions, including ‘environmental claim’, ‘generic environmental claim’ and ‘sustainability label’
🔎 a ban on generic or unsubstantiated environmental claims
🔎 a ban on the use of sustainability labels that are not based on certification schemes or established by public authorities greater transparency regarding the environmental characteristics of products and their performance over time
The new provisions will apply from 27 September 2026, that is, six months after the deadline for transposition by all Member States of the European Union.
In this context, the role of certification schemes takes on even greater significance.
The Directive stipulates, in fact, that sustainability labels may only be displayed if they are based on certification schemes that meet a series of requirements, such as accessibility, fairness, transparency, impartiality, independence and objectivity.
Plastica Seconda Vita (PSV) is all of this: an accredited certification scheme that involves independent audits carried out by accredited certification bodies, ensuring the traceability and verification of the recycled plastic content in products.
A tool designed to serve businesses and consumers, which fully complies with the principles of transparency, credibility and verifiability required by the new European legislation.