The Council of Ministers has approved this week in the first round the preliminary draft Sustainable Consumption Lawan ambitious norm promoted by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 headed by Pablo Bustinduy. With the focus on the protection of the environment and the rights of consumers, the text introduces a package of unprecedented measures that will substantially modify the panorama of Advertising, consumption and commercial information In Spain.

Among the most striking measures, is the prohibition of advertising of short -distance flights when there is a less polluting alternative that does not exceed more than two and a half hours the journey; as well as the veto to the promotion of energy products based exclusively on fossil fuelssuch as gasoline or coal. It will also be prevented from announcing vehicles propelled only by this type of energy.

A paradigm shift for commercial advertising

In line with the new European guidelines, the draft prohibits the advertising of peninsular national flights that have a Railway alternative more sustainable, as well as all commercial communication related to fossil fuels. The ads that refer to gas or mixed energy sources are out of this limitation.
This veto also extends to conventional thermal vehicles, a category that includes cars, vans or trucks that work exclusively with diesel or gasoline, provided they do not incorporate hybrid systems or electrical components.

These restrictions place Spain in line with countries such as France, where similar measures have already been approved and intensely discussed by the advertising and car sector.

“The objective of this government is to encourage industry to accelerate productive transition towards more sustainable and accessible models”Bustinduy explained. “We cannot allow those who most contaminate, who are the richest, continue to condition the future of the planet.”

Against fear and green deception

The norm also advances on land less explored so far. For the first time, the so -called “advertising of fear” will be regulated, that is, those campaigns that use exaggerated or unlikely – such as violent robberies or catastrophes – for Generate consumer anxiety and promote security products. These campaigns must be justified with verified risk objectives or indicators.

Likewise, the law combats the Greenwashing, expressly prohibiting the use of generic terms as “environmental respectful”, “green” or “biodegradable” if they are not endorsed by verifiable technical studies. You can also cancel the registration of brands whose graphic name or appearance induct error about its environmental performance.
For example, a company called “Ecodrive” cannot be advertised if your vehicles do not meet recognized ecological standards.

Programmed obsolescence and right to repair

The new law also reinforces the right of consumers to repair their products, penalizing practices that deliberately shorten the useful life of goods. The guarantee is extended in 12 months if the consumer chooses to repair instead of replacing. In addition, manufacturers and distributors must assume part of the cost of repairs even outside the legal period of guarantee, which will encourage maintenance and reduce waste generation.

The creation of A public repair platform that allows the consumer to compare prices and hire repairs easily.
The norm expressly prohibits software updates that degrade the operation of devices or artificially limit their durability.

Resale and revaluation under magnifying glass

In the commercial field, the law acts on two increasingly visible phenomena: the abusive resale of entrances and grid.

As for the resale, it will be forbidden to increase the resale price beyond the CPI. This measure complements the current one against the use of bots to monopolize online tickets.
Regarding the REDUFLATION -when a product reduces its content without warning, maintaining or raising the price-,, The law will force brands to clearly and visible any change in the content or quantity. They will have 90 days since their launch to do it understandably.

The draft Law of Sustainable Consumption transposes two key European directives: that of the right to repair and the empowerment for the ecological transition. In the words of Bustinduy himself, the intention is “Build a more fair, transparent and compatible consumption system.”

The text of the draft now enters into a hearing and public information phase, with the aim of collecting contributions and enriching the law. After that, the text will be debated again in the Council of Ministers and sent to the Congress for approval.