„Free from..."
Annex I No. 10 UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo, § 5 UWG
What does it mean?
'Free from' claims are only permissible under the EmpCo Directive and § 5 UWG if they represent genuine added value for the consumer and can be substantiated by appropriate evidence. A mere repetition of legal prohibitions (e.g. 'BPA-free bottle') is inadmissible, as it provides no informational content. The claim must refer to a substance that is commonly used in comparable products and for which an actual risk exists. Substantiation through certificates (e.g. organic labels) or laboratory analyses (e.g. proof of the absence of microplastics in accordance with ISO 14853-2) is essential to make the claim legally compliant.
Typical phrasings
- 'Gluten-free bread (for people with coeliac disease)'
- 'Free from pesticides (verifiable through organic certification)'
- 'Without use of palm oil (sustainable alternative employed)'
What you can write instead
'Free from PFAS (in accordance with Öko-Tex Standard 100, licence number XXXXXX)' or 'Without use of microplastics, verifiable through laboratory analysis in accordance with ISO 14853-2.'
Required evidence
- Organic certificate (DE-ÖKO-XXX, Demeter, Naturland, Bioland)
- Öko-Tex Standard 100 with licence number
- ISO 14853-2 (microplastics)
- Laboratory analysis (if applicable with specification of method)
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."