„Fair"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo, § 5 UWG
What does it mean?
The term 'fair' is frequently used in connection with ethical supply chains and decent working conditions. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive makes clear that generic claims such as 'fairly produced' without concrete, verifiable evidence are considered misleading under § 5 UWG. Mere membership of an organisation such as WFTO is not sufficient; a transparent demonstration of compliance with recognised standards is required. Accepted evidence includes, for example, Fairtrade certification, the Fair Wear Foundation or an audit according to the SA8000 Standard. The lack of substantiation results in withheld information pursuant to § 5b UWG.
Typical phrasings
- 'Fairly produced'
- 'Fair working conditions'
- 'Fairly traded'
Required evidence
- Fairtrade FLO-Zertifizierung
- Fair Wear Foundation
- SA8000 Standard
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.