60 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • Industry News LightingEurope backs pragmatic approach to Green Claims Directive LightingEurope welcomes the European Union’s Green Claims Directive, praising its efforts to provide consumers with clear, verifiable, and comparable environmental information. As a key player in the European lighting industry, LightingEurope remains committed to delivering science-based environmental data through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). Avoiding Unintended Restrictions on Sustainable Products One of the major wins, according to LightingEurope, is the removal of a blanket ban on green claims for products containing hazardous substances. Such a prohibition, originally proposed by some policymakers, could have restricted consumer access to energy-efficient and long-lasting electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), including LED luminaires with presence detectors. The industry supports the agreed-upon “revision clause,” which ensures a thorough impact assessment before considering any future restrictions. Streamlining Compliance and Verification LightingEurope strongly supports the Council’s proposal to simplify verification and certification processes under the directive. The organisation calls for immediate application of a “simplified procedure” for certain claims—such as those related to recycled content or renewable energy use—without waiting for secondary legislation, which could delay implementation and hinder innovation. Additionally, LightingEurope advocates for transitional measures allowing businesses to continue using existing claims submitted for verification between the directive’s adoption and enforcement. This approach would reduce administrative burdens and ensure regulatory consistency. Opposing Market Fragmentation The organisation warns against potential regulatory fragmentation caused by certain Council proposals. LightingEurope opposes exemptions for national environmental labeling schemes from third-party verification, fearing inconsistencies that could complicate compliance and erode consumer trust. It also rejects allowing Member States to introduce their own methodologies for aggregated environmental scores, arguing that such practices risk misleading consumers by masking specific negative impacts with generalised positive claims. LightingEurope insists that any environmental scoring methodologies must be based on harmonised EU rules to ensure consistency and reliability across the Single Market. Ensuring Regulatory Clarity Another concern is avoiding overlapping regulations. LightingEurope recommends maintaining clear distinctions between the Green Claims Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The PPWR already sets rules for verifying environmental claims on packaging, and any overlap could create unnecessary confusion and compliance challenges for businesses. A Unified Voice for the Industry As the Green Claims Directive moves into trilogue negotiations, LightingEurope urges policymakers to refine the directive with practicality and market realities in mind. The industry seeks a balance that fosters sustainability while ensuring businesses can comply effectively without excessive red tape. Representing over 1,000 companies and a workforce of more than 80,000 people across Europe, LightingEurope remains committed to advocating for a regulatory environment that supports fair competition, sustainability, and innovation in the lighting industry. For more details, contact Teresa Selvaggio teresa.selvaggio@lightingeurope.org or Simon Wessels simon.wessels@lightingeurope.org
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