European Commission proposes Green Claims Directive

European Commission seeks to combat ‘green washing’; proposal would regulate environmental claims and promote transparent communication to consumers; product claims will need to be independently verified, will launch new database of trustworthy labels

Lidl and Colruyt trial Eco-Score label

Retailers Lidl and Colruyt announce testing front-of-pack EcoScore label; uses life cycle assessment to estimate ecological footprint based on climate change, water use, land use, acidification; considers packaging recyclability; if test-phase successful Lidl will consider implementation in all its German locations

France to harmonize packaging recycling labels

Ruling aims to simplify and harmonize labels placed on packaging within the country; plans to abolish “Green Dot” label and revise “Triman” label to provide specific sorting information to consumers; label guidelines to be released in second half of 2021, potentially come into force January 1, 2022

EU initiative to standardize quantification of environmental impacts

European Commission publishes roadmap, inception impact assessment; initiative aims to require companies to substantiate environmental footprint claims made about their products or services, reduce ‘greenwashing’; open for feedback until August 31, 2020

UNEP report assesses plastic packaging labels

Joint report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) maps and assesses global labeling schemes and claims related to recycling and disposal of plastic packaging; recommends global harmonization of definitions, better consideration of actual local conditions, restriction of chasing arrows symbol, labels being verified with enforcement of proper use

Edible label to reduce food packaging

Project with the University of Sunderland develops edible label that can be applied directly to foods and provides scannable code for users to access further information; aims to reduce need for additional packaging

Date labels on packaging confuse consumers

Printed dates on food packaging found to be confusing for U.S. consumers and lead to food waste; date labels often communicate quality rather than safety; calls exist for further standardization