„Plastic Neutral"
§ 5 Abs. 2 UWG i.V.m. Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The claim 'plastic neutral' suggests that a product or company makes no contribution to plastic pollution. From 27 September 2026, this statement is to be classified as misleading and therefore prohibited when it is based on offsetting (e.g. through plastic waste collection campaigns). This follows from § 5 Abs. 2 UWG in conjunction with Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD i.d.F. EmpCo (EU 2024/825), which establishes an analogy to the prohibition of 'climate neutral' through CO2 offsetting. The BGH judgment I ZR 98/23 (Katjes, 27 June 2024) clarifies that even with actual offsetting, a lack of transparent disclosure of the methodology constitutes a misleading practice. Legally compliant communication requires the specific identification of reduction measures and the use of recognised certificates such as the Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard.
Typical phrasings
- 'Plastic-neutral product'
- 'We are plastic neutral'
- 'Offset plastic with us'
What you can write instead
Reduction of plastic content by 33% since 2022, documented through material flow analysis according to DIN EN ISO 14021.
Required evidence
- Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard
- Ocean Bound Plastic Certification (with transparent tracking)
- ISO 14021 (Self-declared environmental claims)
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."