The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets has called on supervised financial firms to review and amend their sustainability claims, labels and marketing to comply with the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive. The rules have applied in the Netherlands since July 2026 and are already enforceable by the authority, adding specific consumer law prohibitions to existing financial sector disclosure and conduct requirements. Claims must be specific, verifiable and substantiated. Generic terms such as “sustainable,” “green” or “environmentally friendly” require recognized excellent environmental performance, while firms must not present an entire product or business as sustainable when a claim applies only to one component. Claims based solely on carbon offsets are restricted, sustainability labels require a reliable certification system or public scheme, and forward-looking climate or net-zero claims must be backed by objective plans, measurable interim targets, timelines and progress monitoring. The requirements apply across financial services, including banks, insurers, investment firms and funds, advisers, credit providers, crowdfunding platforms and crypto service providers. They build on the authority’s earlier findings that many financial sector sustainability claims were vague or poorly substantiated, but introduce concrete prohibitions that apply even where Dutch financial supervision law does not address a particular claim.
Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets directs financial firms to align sustainability claims with enforceable EU consumer rules
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets has directed supervised firms to align sustainability claims and marketing with EU consumer rules enforceable in the Netherlands since July 2026. Claims must be specific and substantiated, while generic environmental claims, unverified labels, offset-based claims and unsupported future targets face tighter restrictions. The rules apply alongside existing financial sector requirements.