Greenwashing, Product Repair and Competition Law under the New Framework of Law 5317/2026
Jul 13, 2026
Law 5317/2026 (Government Gazette A’ 108/10.7.2026) reshapes the rules on environmental claims (greenwashing), introduces a right to repair consumer goods, and strengthens the powers of the Hellenic Competition Commission.
Law 5317/2026, which was published in Government Gazette A’ 108/10.7.2026, introduces significant amendments to consumer protection law and competition law. Of particular legal significance are the new rules governing businesses’ environmental claims, the establishment of a specific right to repair consumer goods and the strengthening of the powers of the Hellenic Competition Commission.
By transposing Directive (EU) 2024/825, the environmental and social characteristics of a product, as well as circularity aspects such as durability, repairability and recyclability, are expressly included among the characteristics in respect of which a commercial practice may be considered misleading.
Businesses may no longer rely merely on general statements describing products as “green”, “ecological” or “environmentally friendly”. The relevant claims must be capable of being substantiated by specific and verifiable evidence. In particular, statements concerning future environmental performance must be based on publicly available commitments, a detailed and realistic implementation plan, measurable and time-bound targets and regular verification by an independent third-party expert.
Pursuant to Article 89 of the aforementioned Law, which amends Article 9f of Law 2251/1994, the following practices, among others, are prohibited in all circumstances as misleading:
the display of a sustainability label that is not based on a certification scheme or has not been established by a public authority,
the making of a generic environmental claim without recognized excellent environmental performance,
the making of an environmental claim concerning the entire product or the entire business as environmentally positive, where the claim concerns only one specific activity or characteristic,
the claim that a product is “climate neutral” or has a reduced environmental footprint solely on the basis of greenhouse gas emissions offsetting,
the concealment of the negative impact of software updates on the functioning of a product,
the false claim concerning the durability or repairability of a good,
the premature encouragement of the replacement of consumables,
the concealment of, or the making of a false claim concerning, the impairment of functionality resulting from the use of third-party spare parts.
Businesses must therefore review their advertisements, labelling, product descriptions, sustainability policies and the information provided through their online stores. Environmental claims must not only be truthful, but must also be presented in a manner that does not create a broader impression than that justified by the actual facts.
Where a fine exceeding 50.000 euros is imposed, or in the event of repeated infringement, a summary of the decision is published on the website of the Ministry of Development and now includes, where applicable, the product code and trade name. This provision also increases the risk of damage to the commercial reputation of the infringing party.
The Law also transposes Directive (EU) 2024/1799 and establishes a specific framework for the repair of consumer goods. The relevant provisions apply from 31 July 2026.
The obligation to repair does not automatically apply to every product. It applies to goods for which specific repairability requirements are laid down in the European Union legislative acts listed in Annex IV to the Law. These include, inter alia, certain categories of household appliances, electronic displays, mobile phones and tablets.
Following the expiry of the seller’s statutory liability, the manufacturer is required, at the consumer’s request, to repair the products covered, unless repair is impossible. The repair must be provided free of charge or at a reasonable price and must be completed within a reasonable period of time. Where the manufacturer is established outside the European Union, the obligation may lie with its authorized representative, the importer or, in the absence of either, the distributor.
Of particular importance is the fact that manufacturers:
are required to make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price that does not deter repair,
may not use contractual clauses or hardware or software techniques that unjustifiably impede repair,
may not exclude the use by independent repairers of safe original, second-hand, compatible or 3D-printed spare parts,
and may not refuse to carry out a repair solely because another repairer has previously intervened.
At the same time, where the defect still falls within the seller’s statutory liability, the consumer must be informed of the possibility of choosing between repair and replacement. Where the repair of movable property is chosen, the limitation period applicable to the relevant rights is extended to three years. Depending on the nature of the product, the seller may also provide a temporary replacement product free of charge. These specific provisions do not apply to sales contracts concluded before 31 July 2026.
Provision is also made for a European Repair Information Form containing information on the price, the time required, the type of repair and any additional services, as well as for consumers’ free access to the national section of a European online platform through gov.gr.
It is also worth noting that the amendments to Law 3959/2011 strengthen the mechanisms through which the rules laid down in Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and the decisions of national competition authorities are enforced.
A simplified procedure is provided for the cross-border enforcement of final decisions imposing fines and periodic penalty payments. The Hellenic Competition Commission may transmit the relevant instruments to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue or to another competent authority, while the uniform instrument permitting enforcement does not require a separate recognition procedure. Correspondingly, the Hellenic Competition Commission may request the enforcement of its decisions in another Member State.
The consequences of refusing to provide information, failing to appear to give evidence and providing incorrect, incomplete or misleading information are also made more stringent. Undertakings may be subject to a fine of up to 1% of their total worldwide turnover and to a daily periodic penalty payment of up to 3% of their average daily worldwide turnover. Directors and employees may be subject to a fine ranging from 15.000 to 30.000 euros for each day of non-compliance.
Finally, an inspection by the Hellenic Competition Commission of premises other than business premises, including the homes of directors or employees of undertakings, requires an order from the locally competent public prosecutor and the presence of a representative of the judicial authority, as well as reasonable grounds for suspecting that evidence relevant to the investigation of an infringement is kept at those premises.
In conclusion, Law 5317/2026 moves sustainability from the sphere of voluntary corporate communication into the field of specific legal obligations. Environmental claims must be specific and capable of substantiation, repairability is recognized as an essential characteristic of products, and manufacturers are required to limit practices that render repair excessively difficult or economically prohibitive. At the same time, the new competition law provisions strengthen the capacity for effective investigation, cooperation and the recovery of penalties in cross-border cases.
Note: This article is provided solely for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, an opinion, or a personalized assessment of a specific case.
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