European environmental regulations tighten for businesses and public procurement

New regulatory frameworks are reshaping how businesses approach environmental responsibility and communication in Europe. In France, the Climate and Resilience Law now requires public buyers to include at least one environmental criterion in all calls for tender, meaning contracts can no longer be awarded solely on price. To assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in navigating this complex regulatory landscape, the startup Doddee has launched a digital platform providing diagnostics, action plans, and expert advice to help smaller structures integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into their operations.

Simultaneously, the European Union is tightening rules against greenwashing through the EmpCo directive (EU 2024/825). Effective September 27, 2026, companies communicating with EU customers must strictly substantiate environmental claims. The directive prohibits generic terms like ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘green’ without proven performance, prevents companies from claiming carbon neutrality based solely on offsetting, and bans private sustainability labels that lack independent certification. These rules apply to all business sizes and carry heavy financial sanctions for non-compliance.