„Biodegradable"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (from 27.09.2026) / § 5 Abs. 1 S. 2 Nr. 1 UWG
What does it mean?
The term 'biodegradable' is a generic environmental claim which, from 27 September 2026, will be inadmissible without specific evidence pursuant to the EmpCo Directive (Annex I No. 4a UCPD). It is crucial to specify *under which conditions* degradation occurs (e.g. in soil, in water or under industrial conditions) and within *what timeframe*. Degradability in a garden compost differs significantly from that in an industrial facility. A distinction from 'compostable' is important, as the latter imposes specific requirements on composting processes. The mere claim 'biodegradable' without this specification constitutes a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG.
Typical phrasings
- '100% biodegradable'
- 'Naturally degradable'
- 'Biodegradable in garden compost'
Required evidence
- EN 13432 (industrial composting)
- DIN CERTCO or OK Compost Label
- OECD 301 (biodegradability in aquatic systems)
- ISO 14855 (aerobic composting)
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.