„Greenhouse Gas Neutral"
Annex I No. 4c UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The term "greenhouse gas neutral" or "GHG-neutral" is to be classified as a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG and as a per se prohibition in accordance with Annex I No. 4c of the UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825) from 27 September 2026 onwards if it is based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions. Analogous to the BGH judgement I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024), mere offsetting without transparent disclosure of the methodology and CO2 calculation is not sufficient. The claim suggests climate neutrality that is not achieved through offsetting. Permissible, however, are specific statements on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, for example "CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1+2) reduced by 35% since 2018, verified in accordance with ISO 14064-1."
Typical phrasings
- 'Greenhouse gas neutral product'
- 'GHG-neutral through offsetting'
- 'We offset our greenhouse gas emissions'
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 verification (demonstrates reduction, not offsetting)
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) (demonstrates offsetting, but is not evidence for a permissible claim)
Rechtsgrundlage (Originalwortlaut)
Anhang I Nr. 4c UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — Neutralitäts-/Reduktions-Claim auf Kompensations-Basis
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 Aussage, die sich auf der Kompensation von Treibhausgasemissionen begründet und wonach ein Produkt hinsichtlich der Treibhausgasemissionen neutrale, verringerte oder positive Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt hat."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Claiming, based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions, that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Affirmer, sur la base de la compensation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, qu'un produit a un impact neutre, réduit ou positif sur l'environnement en termes d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Beweren dat een product dankzij de compensatie van broeikasgasemissies een neutraal, verminderd of positief milieueffect heeft wat broeikasgasemissies betreft."Does your website use „Greenhouse Gas Neutral"?
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