„Free from..."
Annex I No. 10a UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo, § 5 UWG
What does it mean?
'Free from' claims are only permissible under the EmpCo Directive and § 5 UWG if they represent genuine added value for the consumer and can be substantiated by appropriate evidence. A mere repetition of legal prohibitions (e.g. 'BPA-free bottle') is inadmissible, as it provides no informational content. The claim must refer to a substance that is commonly used in comparable products and for which an actual risk exists. Substantiation through certificates (e.g. organic labels) or laboratory analyses (e.g. proof of the absence of microplastics in accordance with ISO 14853-2) is essential to make the claim legally compliant.
Typical phrasings
- 'Gluten-free bread (for people with coeliac disease)'
- 'Free from pesticides (verifiable through organic certification)'
- 'Without use of palm oil (sustainable alternative employed)'
Required evidence
- Organic certificate (DE-ÖKO-XXX, Demeter, Naturland, Bioland)
- Öko-Tex Standard 100 with licence number
- ISO 14853-2 (microplastics)
- Laboratory analysis (if applicable with specification of method)
Rechtsgrundlage (Originalwortlaut)
Anhang I Nr. 10a UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Eigenschaft als Besonderheit
Quelle: Richtlinie (EU) 2024/825 (EmpCo) — verbindlich ist ausschließlich die im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union veröffentlichte Fassung.
DEDeutsch (amtlich, DE-Fassung Amtsblatt)aufklappenzuklappen
„Präsentation von Anforderungen, die kraft Gesetzes für alle Produkte in der betreffenden Produktkategorie auf dem Unionsmarkt gelten, als Besonderheit des Angebots des Gewerbetreibenden."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Presenting requirements imposed by law on all products within the relevant product category on the Union market as a distinctive feature of the trader's offer."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Présenter comme une caractéristique distinctive de l'offre du professionnel des exigences imposées par la loi pour tous les produits de la catégorie de produits concernée sur le marché de l'Union."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Het voorstellen van voor alle producten binnen de toepasselijke productcategorie op de markt van de Unie wettelijk opgelegde vereisten als een onderscheidend kenmerk van het aanbod van de handelaar."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.