„Pre-verification"
Art. 3 EU 2024/825 (EmpCo), § 5 Abs. 1 UWG
What does it mean?
EU Directive 2024/825 (EmpCo) tightens the requirements for substantiation of environmental claims. Article 3 of the Directive requires undertakings to be able to provide evidence for their statements. The German UWG (§ 5 Abs. 1) prohibits misleading commercial practices, which includes unsubstantiated environmental advertising. Pre-verification by an independent, accredited body (e.g. to ISO 14065) is not mandatory, but reduces the risk of cease-and-desist letters and enhances credibility. ISO 17029 relates to the competence of persons carrying out conformity assessments, but is not directly relevant to the verification of environmental claims.
Typical phrasings
- "CO2 footprint verified by DAkkS-accredited body to ISO 14065"
- "Sustainability report verified by independent auditor"
- "Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to ISO 14025"
What you can write instead
Have environmental claims verified by an independent body accredited to ISO 14065 to minimise cease-and-desist risks.
Required evidence
- ISO 14065 accreditation
- ISO 14025 EPD certification
- DAkkS accreditation of the verification body
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."