What You Need to Know About the EU’s Green Claims Directive — And How The Anti-Greenwash Charter Can Help.

The era of vague green claims and misleading eco-badges is rapidly coming to an end — at least in the EU. The EU’s Green Claims Directive is set to introduce tough new rules designed to stamp out greenwashing and restore trust in corporate sustainability claims.

For businesses — including those outside the EU that trade into it — the Directive represents a major shift in how environmental claims must be evidenced, verified, and communicated.

Here’s what you need to know — and how The Anti-Greenwash Charter is already helping businesses stay ahead of these changes.

🟢 What is the Green Claims Directive?

The Green Claims Directive is a new EU law that will apply to any business making voluntary environmental claims — about their products, services, or company-wide activities. Its goal is to ensure that every green claim is backed by scientific evidence and can be independently verified before it reaches the public.

It’s part of the EU’s broader Green Deal strategy, designed to create a level playing field for businesses while protecting consumers from misleading or exaggerated sustainability claims.

✅ What Will Businesses Need to Do?

The Directive will require businesses to:

• Substantiate every green claim with credible, scientific evidence — covering the whole life cycle of the product or service.
• Provide public access to the evidence supporting each claim.
• Submit claims for independent verification before they can be used in marketing or advertising.
• Ensure all comparative claims (e.g., “50% lower emissions than competitors”) are based on equivalent, transparent data.

🚫 What Will Be Banned?

The Directive will ban:

• Vague claims like “eco-friendly” or “green” without clear evidence.
• Misleading visuals, such as green labels or nature-themed imagery implying environmental benefits without proof.
• Cherry-picking — highlighting one small positive environmental impact while ignoring larger negative impacts.
• Unproven future claims (such as “net zero by 2050”) unless they are backed by credible, detailed plans.

⚠️ Why It Matters for UK and Global Businesses

Although the Directive is an EU law, its impact will be felt far beyond Europe’s borders. Any business selling products or services into the EU — including UK businesses post-Brexit — will need to comply.

At the same time, the Directive is part of a global trend towards tougher regulation on green claims. The UK’s Green Claims Code, the US Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides, and Australia’s ACCC greenwashing investigations all show that the world is moving in the same direction.

Businesses that act now to embed transparent, evidence-based claims processes will be better prepared for this evolving regulatory landscape.

🇬🇧 How Does It Compare to the UK’s Green Claims Code?

The Anti-Greenwash Charter supports the principles of the UK Green Claims Code, but we believe the EU’s approach of requiring evidence and verification upfront is far more effective at tackling greenwashing at its source.

🌍 A Global Shift — and a Business Opportunity

While the Directive will introduce new compliance requirements, it also presents an opportunity for responsible businesses to:

• Stand out from competitors who have relied on exaggerated or misleading claims.
• Build stronger consumer trust through transparency and credibility.
• Strengthen internal processes, making sustainability data and marketing claims more aligned and reliable.
• Reduce legal and reputational risk.

Far from being just ‘red tape,’ these new requirements reward companies that are genuinely reducing their environmental impacts — while deterring those using greenwashing tactics to cut corners.

🔗 How The Anti-Greenwash Charter Helps You Prepare

At The Anti-Greenwash Charter, we’ve been helping businesses future-proof themselves against exactly this kind of regulatory shift since day one.

Our signatories already commit to:

• Developing a Green Claims Policy — providing a structured framework for assessing, documenting, and evidencing all sustainability claims.
• Undergoing independent reviews of campaigns — ensuring claims are clear, credible, and compliant with evolving best practices.
• Embedding a culture of evidence-based environmental communication across their marketing, sustainability, and leadership teams.

For our signatories, the Green Claims Directive won’t come as a shock — it’s simply another step along the path they’ve already chosen.

📣 Don’t Wait — Prepare Now

The Directive is expected to come into force from 2026, with a transition period for businesses to adapt. But waiting until the last minute is risky. Forward-thinking businesses are already building the internal processes they’ll need to comply — and gaining a competitive advantage in the process.

If you want to get ahead of the curve — whether you trade into the EU or just want to embed best practices in your UK or global operations — The Anti-Greenwash Charter is here to help.

👉 Join the Movement Here

Challenger Brands, Bold Moves: Calling Out Greenwashing and Going Beyond B Corp.

Sustainability is no longer a niche concern—it’s a business necessity. But while everyone wants to look green, not every brand backs up its claims with real action. Challenger brands—those shaking up their industries with fresh thinking—have a unique opportunity: to expose weak sustainability claims, lead with radical transparency, and set a new standard.

For brands that truly walk the talk, it’s not enough to tick the same boxes as everyone else. B Corp certification is great, but it’s not the whole solution. The next step? Going beyond the badge and ensuring every sustainability claim is crystal clear, evidence-based, and never misleading. That’s why more B Corps are now working with The Anti-Greenwash Charter—to ensure their sustainability communications match their high standards of corporate ethics.

Why Just Having a B Corp Badge Isn’t Enough

B Corp certification has become the go-to mark for many purpose-driven brands. It’s an excellent framework for improving business practices, but when it comes to sustainability communications, it doesn’t always guarantee transparency.

🚨 Not all B Corps communicate sustainability well. Some make big claims without explaining them properly.
🚨 B Corp doesn’t stop brands from greenwashing. A company can have B Corp status but still use misleading messaging.
🚨 B Corp is becoming mainstream. With thousands of certified companies, simply having the badge is no longer a clear differentiator.

That’s why a number of B Corps are now working with The Anti-Greenwash Charter—to go beyond the certification and ensure their communications is just as strong as their business ethics.

Calling Out the Greenwashers—And Backing It Up

Big brands with big marketing budgets often dominate the sustainability conversation. But many still overhype, mislead, or cherry-pick data to look more environmentally friendly than they really are. Challenger brands can—and should—step up as the truth-tellers.

✅ Set a better example – Make your own claims fully transparent, with verifiable evidence.
✅ Give customers a reason to trust you – When people know exactly what you stand for, they become loyal advocates.

Going Beyond B Corp: The Anti-Greenwash Charter

For brands ready to set a new gold standard, The Anti-Greenwash Charter is the next step. It ensures that sustainability claims are accurate, honest, and not misleading—helping businesses build consumer trust and differentiate from competitors still relying on vague sustainability messaging.

Signing the Charter means committing to:

🔍 Total transparency – No gloss, no half-truths, no misleading claims.
📊 Evidence-backed claims – Every sustainability statement must be supported by clear, independent verification.
💬 Clear, honest communication – Making claims easy to understand, with no room for misinterpretation.
📢 Encouraging industry change – Challenging outdated, deceptive practices and raising the bar for the whole sector.

For many B Corps, joining the Charter is the logical next step—ensuring that their marketing and communications match the high ethical standards they’ve built into their business model.

The Future of Challenger Brands: Less Hype, More Honesty

The most successful brands of the future won’t be the ones shouting the loudest about sustainability. They’ll be the ones proving their claims, challenging the status quo, and setting a new benchmark for responsible communications.

If you’re a brand that’s serious about:
✅ Building deep consumer trust
✅ Standing out from ‘green-ish’ competitors
✅ Leading real change in sustainability communications

Then it’s time to go beyond B Corp and sign The Anti-Greenwash Charter.

👉 Join the Movement Here

The Power of Proactive Disclosure: How a Green Claims Policy Liberates Your Brand.

As demand for sustainable products and services grows, so does scrutiny over claims. Fear of getting it wrong has left many organisations hesitant to communicate their sustainability efforts at all, leading to the rise of greenhushing.

A Green Claims Policy (GCP) changes that. By establishing a structured, proactive approach to sustainability messaging, businesses gain freedom, confidence, and credibility. But beyond benefiting individual brands, widespread adoption of GCPs could transform the landscape of corporate sustainability, creating a future where honest, transparent, and accountable sustainability communication is the norm.

The Disarming Power of Proactive Disclosure

One of the biggest risks in sustainability communications is stakeholder scepticism. People are increasingly wary of brands making vague or exaggerated environmental claims. A Green Claims Policy disarms that scepticism by putting everything on the table—before anyone even questions it.

By openly sharing:
✅ The evidence behind sustainability claims
✅ The limits of current progress
✅ The organisation’s ongoing commitments to improvement

…companies turn potential critics into informed supporters. Instead of defensively reacting to accusations of greenwashing, businesses with a GCP proactively define the narrative—positioning themselves as an authentic, trustworthy communicator

The Liberation That Comes with Transparency

For many organisations, sustainability messaging is a minefield. Concerns about regulatory compliance, consumer backlash, or even just internal confusion lead to hesitancy in communications. A Green Claims Policy provides a clear, structured approach, removing uncertainty and enabling fear-free sustainability storytelling.

This creates liberation in three key ways:

1. Freedom to Communicate Without Fear

A GCP ensures that marketing teams have a reliable framework for making green claims. With clear guidelines in place, brands can communicate their sustainability efforts with confidence, knowing their statements are linguistically accurate and well-substantiated.

2. Freedom from Regulatory Anxiety

Laws like the UK’s Green Claims Code and the EU’s Green Claims Directive are tightening restrictions on misleading environmental claims. By adopting a proactive compliance approach, organisations ensure they meet these legal standards before enforcement becomes an issue—reducing the risk of fines, legal action, or reputational damage.

3. Freedom to Be Honest About Imperfection

Consumers don’t expect brands to be perfect—they expect them to be honest. A Green Claims Policy allows businesses to communicate their sustainability journey transparently, saying:

“Here’s what we’re doing well, here’s where we’re working to improve, and here’s how we hold ourselves accountable.”

This level of honesty builds deeper trust and engagement with customers, employees, and stakeholders.

The Collective Impact: A Future Built on Trust and Accountability

While a Green Claims Policy benefits individual organisations, the real transformation happens when more companies adopt this approach. If businesses across industries embrace proactive disclosure, we could see:

🌍 A marketplace free from greenwashing – With standardised, evidence-backed sustainability claims, misleading marketing would be a thing of the past.
🤝 Greater collaboration between businesses – Transparency fosters industry-wide trust, enabling more meaningful partnerships to tackle environmental challenges.
📢 More informed and engaged consumers – With clear, honest sustainability communications, consumers can make truly responsible choices, driving demand for genuine sustainable products and services.
📜 Stronger, more consistent regulation – As organisations voluntarily align their claims with best practices, policymakers may be able to refine and strengthen sustainability regulations in a way that supports businesses rather than penalising them.

Imagine a Future Where…

• Every business publishes a clear, accessible Green Claims Policy.
• Consumers trust environmental claims because they are always backed by evidence.
• Sustainability communications is no longer seen as risky—but as an opportunity to lead with integrity.

By adopting a Green Claims Policy, organisations are not just protecting themselves—they are shaping the future of corporate sustainability.

Take Control of Your Messaging Today

Top Ten Ways to Avoid Greenwashing and Greenhushing in 2025.

In 2025, as sustainability becomes a cornerstone of corporate strategy, businesses face increasing pressure to communicate their environmental and social initiatives accurately. However, two pitfalls—greenwashing (misleading claims about sustainability) and greenhushing (failing to disclose meaningful sustainability efforts)—remain challenges. Striking the right balance between transparency and authenticity is crucial.

Here are the top ten ways to avoid greenwash and greenhushing, based on our experience working with organisations committed to ethical marketing and sustainability practices:

1. Anchor Claims in Verifiable Data

Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims like “eco-friendly” or “sustainable.” Instead, use concrete data to back up assertions. For example, instead of saying, “Our product is environmentally friendly,” state, “This product reduces water use by 25% compared to industry standards, verified by [certified body].”

Ensure data comes from reputable third-party certifications such as ISO, B Corp, or Fairtrade. Transparency about methodologies used in your measurements will bolster credibility.

2. Use Plain Language, Not Jargon

While technical terms might impress industry insiders, they can alienate consumers. Terms like “net zero,” “biodegradable,” or “carbon negative” need clear explanations. For example, explain:

“Our product is biodegradable, meaning it breaks down naturally in 12 months under standard composting conditions, as verified by [certifier].”

Clarity builds trust and avoids confusion or misinterpretation.

3. Embrace Full Transparency

Consumers are increasingly savvy and expect access to detailed information about sustainability claims. Provide comprehensive explanations in accessible formats, such as FAQs, sustainability reports, or product packaging QR codes linking to evidence.

Transparency also includes admitting areas where improvement is needed. Acknowledging imperfections shows authenticity and commitment to long-term progress.

4. Avoid Cherry-Picking Positive Metrics

It’s tempting to highlight only favourable outcomes while ignoring broader impacts. For instance, a company may tout “100% recycled packaging” while ignoring the carbon footprint of its supply chain.

Adopt a holistic approach to sustainability reporting. Cover a wide range of metrics, including energy use, water consumption, waste, and social equity. Balanced reporting avoids misleading stakeholders and helps organisations stay accountable.

5. Set Measurable, Time-Bound Goals

Sustainability strategies should include clear goals with timelines and milestones. For example:

“By 2030, we aim to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 40% from a 2020 baseline.”

Regular updates on progress build credibility and help stakeholders track commitments. Ensure that goals align with internationally recognised frameworks like the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

6. Ensure Claims Reflect the Entire Product Lifecycle

Sustainability is about more than just one phase of a product’s lifecycle. Claims like “100% recyclable” may overlook significant emissions during production or distribution. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) provides a comprehensive view, evaluating environmental impacts from raw material sourcing to disposal.

If full lifecycle data isn’t available, be clear about limitations:

“This product is 80% recyclable, with ongoing efforts to address non-recyclable components by 2026.”

7. Train Teams on Ethical Communications

Often, misleading claims result from a lack of understanding rather than malicious intent. Invest in training for marketing and communications teams to ensure they understand the regulatory frameworks governing sustainability claims, such as:

• The UK Green Claims Code
• EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting
• ISO 14021: Environmental Labels and Declarations

An informed team reduces the risk of greenwashing and ensures consistent, accurate messaging.

8. Partner with Independent Experts

Engage independent auditors, NGOs, or sustainability consultants to verify claims and identify potential blind spots. Third-party validations enhance credibility, offering assurance to both consumers and regulators.

Collaborating with experts also helps businesses stay updated on best practices and regulatory changes in sustainability communications.

9. Avoid Silence: Greenhushing is a Missed Opportunity

While avoiding greenwash is critical, greenhushing—failing to communicate legitimate sustainability achievements—can hinder progress. By withholding information, organisations miss opportunities to inspire stakeholders and gain recognition for their efforts.

A measured approach is key. Share achievements honestly and clearly, while contextualising them within ongoing efforts and challenges. Focus on storytelling that highlights a journey rather than a perfected outcome.

10. Engage Stakeholders in the Conversation

Sustainability is not just about declarations—it’s about dialogue. Involve stakeholders, including employees, customers, and communities, in your sustainability journey. Solicit feedback through surveys, social media, or community forums.

Meaningful engagement fosters trust and generates valuable insights for improving sustainability practices. Additionally, stakeholder advocacy can amplify your organisation’s credibility and impact.

Bonus Tip: Stay Updated on Regulations

The landscape of sustainability claims is evolving rapidly, with governments and regulatory bodies introducing stricter guidelines. Stay informed about:

• The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Green Claims Code updates
• EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) developments
• New global standards, such as those from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

Being proactive in compliance not only mitigates legal risks but positions your organisation as a leader in ethical sustainability communication.

Conclusion

The Greenwashing Regulatory Landscape in North America in 2025.

In 2025, greenwashing has become a key focus for regulators in North America. As more companies promote their environmental credentials, authorities in the United States and Canada are working harder to ensure businesses make accurate and truthful claims. Here we look at the regulatory efforts to tackle greenwashing, highlighting recent updates, challenges, and what lies ahead.

The United States: Updates to Rules and Enforcement

The FTC and the Green Guides

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plays a key role in regulating environmental claims through its Green Guides. These guidelines were last updated in 2012, but in response to changing market conditions, the FTC began revising them in 2023. By 2025, the updated Green Guides set stricter requirements for companies making environmental claims, including:

• Specific Language: Broad claims like “green” or “eco-friendly” must now be backed by clear evidence and details.
• Recyclability and Compostability: Companies must accurately state if their products can be recycled or composted, and in what conditions.
• Carbon Neutrality Claims: Businesses must prove and disclose how they achieve carbon neutrality, including details about carbon offsets.

More Enforcement Actions

The FTC has significantly increased its enforcement of greenwashing rules. Over the last two years, it has fined several companies for misleading claims, such as overstating renewable energy use or falsely labelling products as biodegradable. These actions send a strong message that greenwashing will not be tolerated.

State-Level Regulations

Some U.S. states have introduced their own rules to tackle greenwashing. California has been a leader in this area, passing the California Truth in Environmental Advertising Act in 2024. This law requires businesses to verify their environmental claims through independent certification and penalises companies that mislead consumers. States like New York and Washington have also strengthened their green marketing laws.

Canada: New Rules and Stronger Enforcement

The Competition Bureau’s Role

In Canada, the Competition Bureau enforces rules to prevent false advertising, including greenwashing. In 2023, the Bureau updated its Environmental Claims Guide to reflect modern issues in sustainability. The guide now includes:

• Clearer Standards: Claims like “natural” or “sustainable” must be specific and supported by reliable evidence.
• Third-Party Certification: Environmental labels must come from reputable, independent organisations.
• Carbon Claims Transparency: Companies must explain how they calculate and offset carbon emissions.

Recent Cases

In the past two years, the Competition Bureau has taken action against several large companies for misleading environmental claims. For example, in 2024, a major clothing brand was fined for exaggerating the benefits of its recycled materials. Such cases show that Canada is serious about protecting consumers from greenwashing.

Provincial Efforts

Some Canadian provinces are also taking steps to address greenwashing. In Quebec, new laws require businesses to provide clear details about the environmental impact of products. British Columbia and Ontario are exploring similar measures to improve transparency.

Cross-Border Collaboration

The United States and Canada are increasingly working together to combat greenwashing. Regulators from both countries share best practices and strategies for handling cross-border cases. This collaboration aims to make it harder for multinational companies to use misleading claims in either market.

North America’s efforts also align with global trends. For example, the European Union and the United Kingdom have introduced strict rules for environmental marketing. These international frameworks provide valuable lessons and raise the bar for North American regulators.

Challenges in Combating Greenwashing

Despite progress, there are still challenges in tackling greenwashing:

1. Inconsistent Rules: In the U.S., regulations differ between states, creating confusion for companies and consumers.
2. Resource Constraints: Regulatory bodies like the FTC and Canada’s Competition Bureau often face limited resources, which can make it hard to monitor all claims.
3. Evolving Tactics: As companies find new ways to market their products, regulators must stay ahead of emerging greenwashing techniques.
4. Consumer Awareness: Many consumers still find it difficult to distinguish between genuine claims and greenwashing, highlighting the need for public education.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, regulators in North America are likely to take further steps to address greenwashing. Key opportunities include:

• Unified Federal Laws: In the U.S., a national law targeting greenwashing could make rules clearer and more consistent.
• Public Education Campaigns: Governments and non-profits can help consumers understand how to identify truthful environmental claims.
• Technology and Data Tools: Using advanced tools to verify claims and monitor marketing practices could improve enforcement.
• Encouraging Voluntary Standards: Companies can work with third-party organisations to certify their sustainability efforts, building trust with consumers.

Conclusion