„PEF (Product Environmental Footprint)"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), EU Commission Recommendation 2021/2279
What does it mean?
The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is a method recommended by the European Commission for calculating the environmental footprint of a product over its entire life cycle. From 27 September 2026, with the entry into force of the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825), the PEF methodology becomes mandatory for businesses making comparative environmental claims about their products. Without verifiable PEF evidence, such comparisons are misleading under § 5 UWG. The study must be verified by an accredited verifier and the underlying functional unit as well as a sensitivity analysis must be disclosed in order to ensure the credibility of the claim.
Typical phrasings
- "Our product has a 15% lower water footprint than comparable products, demonstrated by a PEF study."
- "The PEF analysis shows that our packaging causes 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions."
- "We use the PEF methodology to transparently communicate and continuously improve the environmental impacts of our products."
Required evidence
- PEF study according to EU methodology (ISO 14040/44)
- Verification by independent, accredited verifier
- Disclosure of functional unit and sensitivity analysis
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 „PEF (Product Environmental Footprint)"?
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