Energy Suppliers 2026: How to Advertise Green Electricity Tariffs Correctly

Green electricity tariffs are a hot EmpCo topic. "Climate neutral electricity" will become subject to cease-and-desist orders almost entirely from 27 September 2026. "Green electricity" on its own is subject to substantiation obligations.

The most important green electricity certifications: Guarantees of Origin (GoO) — EU-official, confirms renewable energy generation. Minimum standard. TÜV SÜD EE02 — stricter standard, more than 95 % renewable electricity from installations younger than 6 years. TÜV NORD EE01 — similar standard. ok-power Label — initiative by WWF, Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (German Federation of Consumer Organisations) and Öko-Institut. Strict criteria for promotion of new renewable energy installations. Grüner Strom Label (Gold) — label of the Grüner-Strom association, minimum share of 33 % from new installations.

What is problematic: "100 % green electricity" — useless without reference to certification (could also be GoOs from Norway 1995). "Climate neutral electricity" — electricity generation necessarily emits (even wind has construction emissions). "Organic electricity" — no food organic law applicable.

Reformulation examples: ❌ "Climate neutral green electricity" → ✓ "Green electricity tariff with TÜV SÜD EE02 certification (95 % from installations < 6 years), carbon footprint 8 g CO₂eq/kWh vs. German electricity mix 350 g". ❌ "Green electricity" → ✓ "ok-power-certified green electricity tariff — minimum 33 % from newly built renewable energy installations, supplier list linked".

Special note: The supplier mix must also be stated correctly. Electricity labelling (§ 42 EnWG) is mandatory and EmpCo-relevant: "Electricity from 100 % renewable energy" is incorrect if the group also operates fossil-fuel power plants — in that case the group mix must be disclosed, not just the tariff mix.