„Animal-free"
§ 5 Abs. 1 S. 2 Nr. 1 UWG i.V.m. Anhang I UCPD (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The use of the term 'animal-free' in product advertising is subject to substantiation requirements and, from 27 September 2026, will be governed by the stricter rules of the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825). 'Animal-free' means that no animal ingredients or animal testing were used in the manufacture of the product – this also includes indirect use such as beeswax or honey. Without transparent information about the supply chain and the specification of concrete excluded animal products, the claim 'animal-free' is misleading under § 5 Abs. 1 S. 2 Nr. 1 UWG. Certifications such as 'PETA-Approved Vegan' or the 'Vegan Society Trademark' constitute recognised evidence and minimise the risk of a warning.
Typical phrasings
- 'Manufactured animal-free' without certification or transparent supply chain information.
- 'Our product is animal-free and respects animal welfare' without concrete evidence.
- '100% animal-free ingredients' without specifying which animal products are excluded.
Required evidence
- PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
- Vegan Society Trademark
- Leaping Bunny
Rechtsgrundlage (Originalwortlaut)
Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — generische Umweltaussage ohne anerkannte Nachweise
Quelle: Richtlinie (EU) 2024/825 (EmpCo) — verbindlich ist ausschließlich die im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union veröffentlichte Fassung.
DEDeutsch (amtlich, DE-Fassung Amtsblatt)aufklappenzuklappen
„Treffen einer allgemeinen Umweltaussage, wobei der Gewerbetreibende die anerkannte hervorragende Umweltleistung, auf die sich die Aussage bezieht, nicht nachweisen kann."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Making a generic environmental claim for which the trader is not able to demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Présenter une allégation environnementale générique au sujet de laquelle le professionnel n'est pas en mesure de démontrer l'excellente performance environnementale reconnue en rapport avec l'allégation."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Het maken van een generieke milieuclaim zonder dat de handelaar erkende voortreffelijke milieuprestaties kan aantonen die relevant zijn voor de claim."Empcora is a pure checking and documentation service and provides general information only on the legal situation based on the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) and the unfair-competition / consumer-protection law transposing it in your jurisdiction including references. This is not individual legal advice and includes neither the rewriting nor the drafting of texts. No liability or warranty is assumed for the correctness, completeness or up-to-dateness of the analysis, nor for any legal consequences. The legal assessment of an individual case rests with an admitted law firm or lawyer.