„Greenhouse Gas Neutral"
Annex I No. 4a UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The term "greenhouse gas neutral" or "GHG-neutral" is to be classified as a misleading commercial practice pursuant to § 5 UWG and as a per se prohibition in accordance with Annex I No. 4a of the UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825) from 27 September 2026 onwards if it is based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions. Analogous to the BGH judgement I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024), mere offsetting without transparent disclosure of the methodology and CO2 calculation is not sufficient. The claim suggests climate neutrality that is not achieved through offsetting. Permissible, however, are specific statements on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, for example "CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1+2) reduced by 35% since 2018, verified in accordance with ISO 14064-1."
Typical phrasings
- 'Greenhouse gas neutral product'
- 'GHG-neutral through offsetting'
- 'We offset our greenhouse gas emissions'
What you can write instead
'CO2 equivalent emissions (Scope 1+2) reduced by 35% since 2018, verified in accordance with ISO 14064-1.'
Required evidence
- ISO 14064-1 verification (demonstrates reduction, not offsetting)
- Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) (demonstrates offsetting, but is not evidence for a permissible claim)
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."Does your website use „Greenhouse Gas Neutral"?
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