[Glossary](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/) · Investing # Greenwashing **In short:** greenwashing is presenting a product, company or investment as better for the environment than has been shown — through generic, unsubstantiated or misleading environmental claims. **Simply put:** Since 27.09.2026 the EU rules of Directive (EU) 2024/825 apply. Banned, for example, are a generic environmental claim without proven excellent environmental performance, a sustainability label not based on a certification scheme, and a claim of neutrality based only on offsetting emissions. The word "green" is not banned — the unsubstantiated claim is. **Example:** There are two labels on a shelf: "good for nature" and "made with 30% less water using method X, verified by Y". The second is specific and can be checked. **Watch out:** the label "greenwashing" for a specific company is applied by the competent authority through a decision — not by an advert or a rumour. > **Example: Bulgaria** — the Directive is transposed by the Consumer Protection Act (amended in State Gazette No 87 of 24.09.2026), in force from 27.09.2026; reports go to the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) — https://kzp.bg > > **Check in your country** — your national consumer protection authority, which enforces the rules on environmental claims. **Source:** Directive (EU) 2024/825 — http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/825/oj ## In depth in the modules - [Module 29](https://pecuvo.eu/en/modules/sustainable-finance/) - [Module 24](https://pecuvo.eu/en/modules/investing-the-basics/) ## Related terms - [ESG](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/esg/) - [Sustainable finance](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/sustainable-finance/) - [Consumer Protection Commission (CPC)](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/cpc/) - [Consumer rights](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/consumer-rights/) - [Hidden advertising and influencers](https://pecuvo.eu/en/glossary/hidden-advertising/)