This time, the European Commission intends to withdraw a proposal aimed at combating so-called “green PR” by ensuring that companies’ environmental claims are accurate, substantiated and independently verified.
As Euronews notes, the move is the latest in a series of rejections of key Green Deal initiatives, after so-called “omnibus” documents designed to simplify EU legislation effectively narrowed the scope of measures such as the Carbon Frontier Adjustment Mechanism.
What is most surprising is the withdrawal of the bill just ahead of the final meeting between the Polish President of the EU Council and MEPs. It was scheduled for next Monday and was expected to be the final point before the official adoption of the document.
Its withdrawal at such a late stage took many by surprise, including the negotiators. Responding to questions from reporters, Commission representatives declined to give detailed reasons for the decision, saying only that more information would be provided later.
“It is unacceptable that the Commission is rudely interfering with the progress made by lawmakers on this issue,” a member of parliament’s negotiating team told Euronews, expressing disappointment at what they see as a unilateral and premature move.
Beyond the immediate legislative implications, the move raises broader questions about the Commission’s power to withdraw its own proposals. As Euronews notes, in the case of the Green Claims Directive, none of the conditions giving such powers to the European Commission have been met. This raises concerns that the Commission could overstep its authority and upset the institutional balance by exercising a de facto veto in the legislative process.
