Sep 3, 2026 - Cosmetics

Protection against misleading environmental claims – EmpCo Directive (EU) 2024/825 – implementation deadline is approaching

The EU Directive 2024/825 (EmpCo, Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition) was adopted in February 2024 and amends Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU to protect consumers from misleading environmental claims.

Among other things, it prohibits sustainability labels without recognized certification as well as environmental claims that refer only to one aspect but are presented as statements about the whole product. From 27 September 2026, all manufacturers operating in the EU must comply with these requirements. Environmental claims include not only explicit statements but also implicit messages conveyed by symbols, colors, images or product names.

The key points are:

Ban on generic terms: General environmental claims such as "environmentally friendly", "sustainable", "climate neutral" or "biodegradable" are prohibited unless the manufacturer can demonstrate an objectively superior environmental performance
No climate neutrality through offsets alone: Claims that create the impression of climate neutrality solely through the purchase of CO₂ offset certificates are not permissible.
Stricter label rules: Sustainability labels must be based on official certification schemes or government assessments; self-styled "fantasy" labels without independent verification will be banned.
Transparency on durability: Companies must clearly inform about repairability, the lifespan of products, and the availability of software updates.

The mentioned directives apply to all consumer products, for example cosmetics or food.

Do you have questions about this or do you need regulatory support for your product? Call us; we look forward to hearing from you!

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