Environmental law

Legal opinion on Green Claims is published

With the aim of preventing greenwashing and unclear environmental claims, the European Commission has published two proposals for new EU directives on Green Claims. In their present form, however, there are clear contradictions in the proposals – both between the proposed Green Claims directives themselves and between these proposals and the existing EU Organic Regulation. These contradictions are brought to light in a new legal opinion prepared by the law firm WBS Legal as part of a joint research project by the Oeko-Institut, the Association of Organic Food Processors (AöL) and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).

The EU Batteries Regulation – a success for the circular economy

The EU Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries is due to enter into force very soon. The Oeko-Institut conducted research in support of the development process and welcomes the Regulation. In our blog, Dr Hartmut Stahl and Dr Johannes Betz comment on this success.

New prospects for environmental rights through European supply chain legislation

With the Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains, which entered into force in January 2023, Germany now has legislation in place which obliges German companies to take responsibility for ensuring compliance with human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains. A supply chain consists of the suppliers of raw materials and inputs needed to manufacture or sell a product.

Climate due diligence in future supply chain law