„Energy-efficient"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), EU 2017/1369 (Framework Regulation)
What does it mean?
The claim 'energy-efficient' is a generic environmental claim which, from 27 September 2026, may not be used without specific evidence in accordance with the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) and Annex I No. 4a UCPD. Consumers expect comprehensible information about the energy efficiency of a product. This means that the corresponding energy efficiency class in accordance with EU 2017/1369 (Framework Regulation) or the respective product-specific regulation (e.g. EU 2019/2018 for refrigerators) must always be stated. Alternatively, the specific energy consumption in kWh per year or per 1000 operating hours may be stated. If this substantiation is absent, this constitutes a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG.
Typical phrasings
- 'Energy-efficient appliances'
- 'Energy-saving technology'
- 'Reduces energy consumption'
Required evidence
- EU energy label class (e.g. A+++, G)
- Specific energy consumption (kWh/year or kWh/1000h)
- Product-specific EU regulation (e.g. EU 2019/2018 for refrigerators)
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.