„ESG-compliant"
§ 5 Abs. 1 UWG i.V.m. Anhang I Nr. 4 UCPD (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The term 'ESG-compliant' without concrete substantiation is a generic environmental claim which may be misleading under § 5 UWG i.V.m. Anhang I Nr. 4 UCPD (EU 2024/825). Consumers expect such a claim to provide comprehensible information about the ecological and social impact of the product or company. Use of the term is only permissible in conjunction with recognised ESG ratings (e.g. MSCI, Sustainalytics) or SFDR classification (Art. 8 or 9) stating the proportion of sustainable investments. The mere assertion of ESG compliance without evidence constitutes withheld information pursuant to § 5b UWG and may lead to warnings.
Typical phrasings
- 'ESG-compliant fund'
- 'ESG-integrated investment'
- 'We attach importance to ESG criteria'
What you can write instead
'MSCI ESG Rating AA (as at 2024), verified by independent audit' or 'SFDR Art. 8 fund with at least 50% sustainable investments.'
Required evidence
- MSCI ESG Rating (with specific rating and date)
- Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating (with specific rating and date)
- SFDR classification Art. 8 or 9 (stating the proportion of sustainable investments)
- EU Taxonomy alignment report pursuant to Art. 8 Taxonomie-VO
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."