„Palm oil-free"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), UWG § 5
What does it mean?
The claim 'palm oil-free' is generally permissible provided it is truthful and can be substantiated. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive tightens the requirements for substantiation of environmental claims pursuant to § 5 UWG. It is not sufficient merely to refer to the absence of palm oil; complete ingredient declaration and proof of the substitute ingredients used are required. Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that substitute ingredients may also have environmental impacts. The LMIV (EU Regulation 1169/2011) governs the correct labelling of food ingredients and is therefore relevant for verifying the 'palm oil-free' claim. Companies should also transparently disclose which alternatives to palm oil are used in order to prevent greenwashing allegations.
Typical phrasings
- 'Palm oil-free margarine'
- 'Made without palm oil'
- 'Palm oil-free biscuits'
Required evidence
- Complete ingredient declaration (INCI/ingredient list)
- Proof of origin of the oils and fats used
- Certificates for substitute ingredients used (e.g. organic, Fairtrade)
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.