„Gold Standard"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
Gold Standard is an internationally recognised standard for the certification of climate protection projects, which takes into account social and ecological co-benefits in addition to CO₂ reduction. From 27 September 2026, the use of the term "Gold Standard" in advertising is permissible, provided that the underlying projects are transparently documented and verified. The mere mention of the term without specific information about the project (VER-ID, verification date, CO₂ reduction amount) can be deemed a misleading commercial practice under § 5 UWG. Correct substantiation is therefore mandatory in order to comply with the requirements of the EmpCo Directive and the UWG.
Typical phrasings
- "Gold Standard certified project"
- "VER with Gold Standard"
- "Climate offsetting through Gold Standard projects"
Required evidence
- Gold Standard Public Registry
- Project ID (VER)
- Verification date
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.