„Not Tested on Animals"
EU 1223/2009 Art. 18, Anhang I Nr. 10a UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
Since 2013, animal testing on finished cosmetic products and their ingredients has been prohibited in the European Union (EU 1223/2009). The claim 'not tested on animals' therefore does not fundamentally constitute differentiating information and may be subject to cease-and-desist warnings as a trivial claim. The EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) tightens the requirements for such statements by providing for a clear substantiation obligation (Anhang I Nr. 10a UCPD). Companies must demonstrate that not only the final product, but the entire supply chain is free from animal testing. A mere assertion without certification or transparent information about the supply chain is insufficient and may be deemed misleading pursuant to § 5 UWG.
Typical phrasings
- 'Our cosmetics are manufactured without animal testing'
- 'We guarantee cruelty-free products'
- '100% Cruelty-Free'
Required evidence
- Leaping Bunny (Cruelty Free International)
- PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
- NaTrue
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."Does your website use „Not Tested on Animals"?
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Free CheckEmpcora 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.