„Responsible"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EU 2024/825 (EmpCo)
What does it mean?
'Responsible' is a non-specific value term which can be classified as misleading without concrete substantiation. From 27 September 2026, EU Directive 2024/825 (EmpCo) tightens the requirements for environmental and social claims. Under Annex I No. 4a UCPD, a generic claim such as 'responsible' without recognised evidence is prohibited. Companies must demonstrate that they actually act responsibly, for example through transparent supply chains, independent audits (SA8000, amfori BSCI) and public accessibility of audit reports. Otherwise, there is an omitted material information pursuant to § 5b UWG.
Typical phrasings
- 'Responsibly produced'
- 'Responsible Sourcing'
- 'We act responsibly'
- 'Socially responsible production'
Required evidence
- SA8000 with audit report
- Fair Wear Foundation with transparency check
- amfori BSCI audit report
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.