„Shop consciously"
Annex I No. 2 UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825)
What does it mean?
The phrase "shop consciously" is a generic environmental claim which, pursuant to Annex I No. 2 UCPD in conjunction with the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825), is to be classified as misleading if used without concrete substantiation. It suggests that the trader or the products meet ethical or environmental standards to a particular degree, without providing transparent evidence of this. Consumers expect this wording to provide comprehensible information about the sustainability of the goods or services offered. Since this information is generally absent, the use of the phrase constitutes withheld information pursuant to § 5b UWG and may result in warnings. Concrete details of certifications or product features are essential in order to substantiate the claim and communicate in a legally compliant manner.
Typical phrasings
- 'Shop consciously — for a better world'
- 'Enjoy consciously with our products'
- 'Shop consciously now and do good'
- 'Shop consciously: Our sustainable collection'
What you can write instead
Instead of 'shop consciously', state concrete product features — 'Organic coffee from fair trade (Fairtrade label)' or 'Fashion from recycled materials (GOTS-certified)'.
Required evidence
- Organic label (DE-OEKO-XXX)
- Fairtrade certification (FLO)
- GOTS certificate
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."