„Carbon footprint"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
Stating a "carbon footprint" is permissible in principle, but requires comprehensive substantiation in order not to violate the EmpCo Directive and the UWG. It is crucial to transparently set out the scope (which emissions are taken into account) and the methodology applied (e.g. LCA in accordance with ISO 14067). An isolated claim of a "positive carbon footprint" is misleading without this information. The statement must be verified by an independent third-party review (Critical Review). Section 5 UWG and the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) illustrate the principle: consumers expect concrete evidence for sustainability claims.
Typical phrasings
- "We have a positive carbon footprint"
- "CO₂-neutral products through balancing"
- "Reduction of carbon footprint by 20%"
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 CO2-Verifikation
- GHG Protocol Product Standard
- ISO 14067 (Life Cycle Assessment)
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.