TFL Vsebine / Pravni letopis

Sheme certificiranja na področju trajnostnosti imajo pomembno vlogo pri zniževanju transakcijskih stroškov, krepitvi zaupanja na trgu in omogočanju potrošnikom sprejemanja informiranih odločitev. Njihova učinkovitost pa je odvisna od meril za pridobitev certifikata ter verodostojnosti in neodvisnosti institucij, ki podeljujejo certifikate. V zadnjem desetletju so nepravilnosti in škandali omajali zaupanje v certifikacijske znake, kar je vodilo v povečano zakonodajno aktivnost Evropske unije. Osrednji izziv je tako imenovano zeleno zavajanje (angl. greenwashing), ko ponudniki potrošnikom sporočajo neresnične ali zavajajoče informacije o trajnostnosti njihovih produktov ali njih samih. Nova zakonodajna ureditev, predvsem Direktiva (EU) 2024/825 o krepitvi vloge potrošnikov za zeleni prehod in predlog direktive o zelenih trditvah, skuša urediti področje z dvotirno regulacijo trajnostnih in okoljskih shem certificiranja. Direktivi določata strožje pogoje za zasnovo, izvajanje in nadzor shem ter prenašata večje breme na ponudnike v zvezi z utemeljevanjem okoljskih trditev. Kljub temu ostajajo odprta vprašanja glede razmejitve pristojnosti in meril za klasifikacijo znakov ter izzivi pri zagotavljanju transparentnosti in preprečevanju eko-oportunizma.

Sustainability certification schemes play an important role in reducing transaction costs, strengthening market confidence, and enabling consumers to make informed decisions. However, their effectiveness depends on the criteria for obtaining certification and the credibility and independence of the institutions that award the certificates. Over the past decade, irregularities and scandals have undermined confidence in certification labels, leading to increased legislative activity by the European Union. The main challenge is greenwashing, where suppliers provide consumers with false or misleading information about the sustainability of their products or themselves. New legislation, in particular Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition and the Proposal for a Directive on green claims, seeks to regulate the area with dual regulation of sustainability and environmental certification schemes. The directives set stricter conditions for the design, implementation, and monitoring of schemes and place a greater burden on providers to substantiate environmental claims. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding the division of competences and criteria for the classification of labels, as well as challenges in ensuring transparency and preventing eco-opportunism.

The Role of Certification Schemes in Sustainability: New Developments in Consumer Protection Against Greenwashing