„Secondary raw material"
§ 5 UWG, Annex I No. 2 UCPD as amended by EU 2024/825 (EmpCo)
What does it mean?
The term 'secondary raw material' refers to materials obtained from waste or by-products through recycling or reprocessing. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) in conjunction with § 5 UWG ensures that claims regarding the use of secondary raw materials must be substantiated. A blanket statement 'made from secondary raw material' is misleading, as it provides consumers with no specific information about the actual proportion or origin of the recycled material. It is necessary to specify the exact proportion of secondary raw material and to evidence this through appropriate proof such as ISO 14021 or a certified mass balance system.
Typical phrasings
- 'Made from secondary raw materials'
- 'Product with high secondary raw material content'
- 'We use secondary raw materials'
What you can write instead
Instead of 'made from secondary raw material', provide specific information: 'contains 85% recycled PET, verifiable through mass balance system'
Required evidence
- ISO 14021 (recycled content)
- Supply chain documentation (traceability)
- Certified mass balance (e.g. ISCC PLUS)
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 „Secondary raw material"?
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