Brussels Backs Down: Patriots for Europe Force Retreat on Green Claims Directive

Brussels 24/06/2025 - The Patriots in the European Parliament have achieved a clear victory in the fight against overreaching and detached legislation from Brussels: the European Commission announced its intention to withdraw the so-called “Green Claims” directive – an ideological project that, under the pretext of fighting greenwashing [i.e., misleading marketing that falsely portrays products or companies as environmentally friendly], would have placed massive and unjustified burdens on European businesses.

This U-turn is a direct result of the determined resistance of the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament. It also demonstrates that a reasonable, centre-right majority is possible, as the directive was blocked thanks to joint efforts with MEPs from the ECR and parts of the EPP. The goal was clear: the immediate withdrawal of an impractical and anti-business proposal and the cancellation of the trilogue negotiations scheduled for June 23.

Though marketed as a tool against greenwashing, this directive would have done nothing but suffocate small and medium-sized enterprises with disproportionate bureaucratic and financial requirements – all without any solid impact assessment! Once again, this shows just how detached the von der Leyen Commission has become from economic reality.

The Commission’s preliminary retreat proves: the Patriots are making a difference. More and more, the Patriots for Europe are becoming an essential counterweight in the European Parliament – standing up to the Commission’s hyper-regulatory tendencies that do not serve the interests of Europe’s citizens and businesses.

We remain vigilant: this directive must not simply be “put on hold” – it must be completely and permanently withdrawn!