Key takeaway
What This Development Means
Belgium’s environmental claims law enters force on 27 September 2026, tightening rules on sustainability labels, climate marketing, durability and repair information. A narrow six-month enforcement carve-out covers specified infringements involving qualifying pre-existing goods. Manufacturers, importers, brands and retailers should update claims, verification, software-update promises and evidence before commencement across Belgium.
Which environmental claims will Belgium restrict?
Belgium will restrict generic claims without recognised excellent environmental performance, uncertified private sustainability labels and product climate claims based only on emissions offsetting. Future-performance claims need a detailed, realistic, time-bound plan with measurable targets and independent verification. Misleading durability, repairability, software-update and consumables claims are also prohibited under the legislation.
When must businesses comply with the Belgian law?
The law enters force on 27 September 2026. Article 15 temporarily disapplies one enforcement provision for listed infringements involving goods produced, packaged or placed on the market earlier. That narrow carve-out expires six months after commencement. Businesses should update claims and evidence rather than treating it as general sell-through relief.
Source basis: Belgian Official Gazette, environmental claims law of 22 July 2026 (published 4 August 2026)
Belgium has enacted legislation strengthening consumer protection against misleading environmental and durability claims. The Belgium environmental claims law was published in the Official Gazette on 4 August 2026 and enters force on 27 September. It affects manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, brands and digital-service suppliers selling to Belgian consumers, with consequences for product design, packaging, marketing and supplier evidence.
The law implements EU Directive 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition. It is enacted national legislation, not a proposal or voluntary code.
Belgium Environmental Claims Law And Prohibited Marketing
The Belgium environmental claims law bans generic environmental claims that cannot be substantiated with recognised excellent environmental performance. It also targets claims that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive greenhouse-gas impact where that message relies only on offsetting emissions.
Private sustainability labels will be prohibited unless they are based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities. Businesses making claims about future environmental performance must support them with a detailed, realistic and time-bound implementation plan, including measurable targets and regular verification by an independent third party.
The rules also prohibit misleading claims about durability, repairability, software updates and the need to replace consumables. This matters to electronics, machinery, appliances, chemicals, packaging, textiles, automotive products and other consumer-facing supply chains.
Guarantees, Updates And Transition Dates
Traders must provide clearer information about Belgium’s harmonised two-year legal guarantee. Where software updates are supplied, consumers must receive information about the minimum update period. Relevant durability guarantees, repairability and spare-parts information must also be communicated under prescribed conditions.
The Belgium environmental claims law contains a narrow enforcement carve-out, not a general stock transition. For specified infringements involving goods produced, packaged or placed on the market before 27 September 2026, Article 15 temporarily disapplies one Economic Law Code enforcement provision. That carve-out expires six months after commencement. The substantive conduct rules still enter force in September, so businesses should not describe qualifying goods as generally remaining under the previous regime until 27 March 2027.
Actions For Manufacturers And Retailers
Teams should inventory Belgian-facing environmental labels, climate claims, durability statements and update promises. Claims owners should link every statement to approved evidence, verification and version control. Procurement teams should request supporting data from suppliers, while legal and marketing functions should prepare revised packaging and digital content before commencement.
The Belgium environmental claims law creates enforcement exposure wherever a claim cannot be demonstrated. A documented review now can prevent packaging rework, withdrawn campaigns and disputes after September.
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