„Emission-free"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), UWG § 5
What does it mean?
'Emission-free' suggests that a product or service causes no emissions whatsoever. In practice, this is hardly ever the case, as even supposedly emission-free products have an ecological footprint from production, transport and disposal. The EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) strengthens the requirements for substantiation of environmental claims and may classify 'emission-free' as a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG if a complete and transparent emissions balance is not provided. The BGH judgement I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024) makes clear that even supposedly neutral statements are subject to warnings without detailed disclosure of the calculation methods. To advertise in a legally secure manner, it is crucial to clearly define the scope of emission-freedom (e.g. Scope 1 – direct emissions) and to present the complete CO2 balance transparently.
Typical phrasings
- 'Emission-free steel production'
- 'Emission-free inner-city delivery service'
- 'Emission-free electric car (local)'
- 'Emission-free heat supply (by geothermal energy)'
What you can write instead
'Our electric delivery van produces no direct local emissions (Scope 1). Complete CO2 balance in accordance with ISO 14064-1 in sustainability report.'
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 (CO2 accounting)
- ISO 14067 (product CO2 footprint)
- GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol)
- Scope specification (1, 2, 3) with absolute figures
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."