„Close to nature"
Annex I No. 2 UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
"Close to nature" is a vague claim that provides the consumer with no concrete information. The EmpCo Directive considers such generic environmental claims to be misleading, as they are not verifiable. Under Section 5 UWG and the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825), "from domestic production" is inadmissible where there is a large delivery distance, as the consumer expects regional production. The situation is similar with "close to nature": without concrete details about location, characteristics or design, the statement is not comprehensible and is therefore misleading under § 5 UWG. Concrete details and visual evidence create transparency and enable an objective assessment.
Typical phrasings
- 'Holiday close to nature'
- 'Living close to nature'
- 'A product close to nature'
What you can write instead
Instead of 'close to nature', make concrete statements about location, characteristics or design — 'The hotel is located directly at National Park XY, surrounded by unspoilt nature.'
Required evidence
- Geographical details (coordinates, location description)
- Details about characteristics (proportion of natural materials)
- Photos/videos showing the natural surroundings/design
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."