„Low-CO₂"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), § 5 UWG
What does it mean?
'Low-CO₂' is a relative claim and therefore requires clear substantiation in order not to violate § 5 UWG. The EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) tightens the requirements for such comparative statements. Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo prohibits misleading comparative statements without a concrete comparative basis. It is not sufficient merely to speak of 'low-CO₂' products; instead, a clear reference value must be stated, for example the industry average or the emissions of a predecessor model, including source citation. The boundary of the assessment (Scope 1-3) must also be transparently disclosed in order to enable a comprehensive evaluation.
Typical phrasings
- 'Low-CO₂ production'
- 'Manufactured with particularly low CO₂'
- 'Our product is low-CO₂'
- 'Reduced CO₂ emissions'
Required evidence
- Industry benchmark with clear source (e.g. IFEU, Öko-Institut)
- Life cycle analysis (LCA) according to ISO 14067
- Scope 1-3 accounting of CO₂ emissions
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.