„PEF (Product Environmental Footprint)"

What does it mean?

The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is a method recommended by the European Commission for calculating the environmental footprint of a product over its entire life cycle. From 27 September 2026, with the entry into force of the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825), the PEF methodology becomes mandatory for businesses making comparative environmental claims about their products. Without verifiable PEF evidence, such comparisons are misleading under § 5 UWG. The study must be verified by an accredited verifier and the underlying functional unit as well as a sensitivity analysis must be disclosed in order to ensure the credibility of the claim.

Typical phrasings

• "Our product has a 15% lower water footprint than comparable products, demonstrated by a PEF study."
• "The PEF analysis shows that our packaging causes 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions."
• "We use the PEF methodology to transparently communicate and continuously improve the environmental impacts of our products."

What you can write instead

Required evidence

• PEF study according to EU methodology (ISO 14040/44)
• Verification by independent, accredited verifier
• Disclosure of functional unit and sensitivity analysis