Business

EU’s new anti-greenwashing rules pose major challenge for Sri Lankan exporters

Published

3 months ago

2026/06/22

This new directive applies to businesses across multiple sectors, of any size, that export products or services to the EU market.

Countdown to September 2026 begins

Sri Lankan exporters selling into Europe may soon face one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent years as the European Union prepares to enforce sweeping new rules aimed at eliminating ‘misleading’ environmental and sustainability claims.

The regulation, known as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo) – Directive (EU) 2024/825, will become fully enforceable across all EU member states from September 27, 2026. While the directive is primarily designed to protect European consumers from so-called ‘greenwashing,’ and it carries important implications for exporters worldwide, including those in Sri Lanka.

Compliance experts warn that many local businesses remain largely unaware of the new requirements despite their potential impact on market access, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance.

The directive introduces a simple but demanding principle: companies must be able to substantiate environmental and sustainability claims with credible evidence. Generic descriptions such as ‘eco-friendly,’ ‘green,’ ‘sustainable,’ ‘responsible,’ ‘carbon neutral,’ or ‘climate friendly’ may no longer be used freely unless they can be verified through reliable data and supporting documentation.

For Sri Lankan exporters, this represents a significant shift. Sustainability claims increasingly appear on product packaging, websites, social media campaigns, annual reports, tourism marketing materials, and corporate communications. Under the new framework, such claims could face scrutiny from regulators, consumers, retailers, and civil society groups.

The directive also places particular emphasis on future environmental commitments. Claims such as ‘Net Zero by 2040’ or ‘Carbon Neutral by 2030’ may require businesses to demonstrate clear implementation plans, measurable milestones, and systems for monitoring progress rather than relying on aspirational statements alone.

An environmental compliance expert told The Island Financial Review that this transforms sustainability from a communications exercise into a governance issue. “Responsibility will no longer rest solely with sustainability departments. Company directors, senior executives, marketing teams, procurement professionals, and compliance officers will all have roles to play in ensuring that public claims can withstand regulatory scrutiny. The potential costs of non-compliance are considerable. Under the directive, penalties may include fines of up to four percent of annual turnover generated within the relevant EU member state, restrictions on marketing activities, increased regulatory investigations, and challenges from consumer organisations and commercial partners.”

“The reputational consequences may prove even more damaging. In highly competitive export markets, trust has become a critical business asset. Companies found to be making unsubstantiated environmental claims could face long-term damage to relationships with buyers, retailers, and consumers.”

“The timing is particularly important for Sri Lankan businesses because compliance preparations, reporting frameworks and adjustments are needed before the enforcement date arrives.”

“Businesses supplying European markets are therefore being encouraged to begin assessing their exposure now rather than waiting until the last minute. Early preparation could help exporters safeguard market access, maintain buyer confidence, and strengthen their competitive position in an increasingly sustainability-conscious global economy.”

“For Sri Lanka’s export sector, the message from Europe is becoming increasingly clear: sustainability claims will no longer be judged by how compelling they sound, but by how convincingly they can be proven,” he said.

As the countdown to September 2026 begins, exporters may need to ask themselves a critical question: Are their sustainability claims ready for a new era of accountability?

By Sanath Nanayakkare

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

8 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.