„Green Electricity"
UWG § 5 i.V.m. Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD (i.d.F. EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
'Green electricity' suggests that the electricity comes from renewable energy sources. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive tightens the requirements for substantiating this claim. Under § 5 UWG i.V.m. Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD, the mere use of the term 'green electricity' without concrete evidence is misleading. It is not sufficient to merely present guarantees of origin (GO); these must be verified by independent certification bodies such as TÜV SÜD EE01 (Erzeugung). Under Section 5 UWG and the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825), consumers expect regional generation, which also applies to the origin of the electricity. Anyone advertising 'green electricity' must transparently explain from which renewable sources the electricity actually comes and substantiate this with recognised certificates.
Typical phrasings
- '100% green electricity'
- 'Eco-electricity tariff'
- 'We supply green electricity'
Required evidence
- Grüner Strom Label (GSL)
- TÜV SÜD EE01 (Erzeugung)
- HKN (Herkunftsnachweise) gemäß EnWG
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."Does your website use „Green Electricity"?
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