Directive (EU) 2024/825 ("Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition", often called EmpCo) applies from 27 September 2026. It adds practices to the blacklist of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC: they are banned in all circumstances, with no case-by-case test.
What is banned
| Practice | Example | Annex I point |
|---|---|---|
| Generic environmental claim without recognised excellent environmental performance | "Eco product", "environmentally friendly", "green", "sustainable" | 4a |
| Claim about the whole product when it concerns one aspect | "Recyclable product" when only the packaging is | 4b |
| Neutral, reduced or positive climate impact based on offsetting | "Climate-neutral shipping", "CO2 neutral" | 4c |
| Sustainability label not based on a certification scheme or set by public authorities | A shop-made "Green pick" badge | 2a |
| Presenting legal requirements as a distinctive feature | "Bonus: 2-year warranty" | 10a |
Recognised excellent environmental performance in practice means the EU Ecolabel, an official ISO 14024 type I ecolabel, or top performance required by other EU law.
Claims about future performance ("net zero by 2030") are misleading without a public, detailed, realistic plan regularly verified by an independent expert (Article 6(2)(d)).
What stays allowed
Specific, true, proven claims that state clearly what they refer to, on the same medium:
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Eco T-shirt | T-shirt made of GOTS-certified organic cotton (see certificate) |
| Eco-friendly packaging | Box made of 100% recycled cardboard, no plastic film |
| Climate-neutral delivery | Delivered by a courier using electric vans in the city centre (source: courier) |
| Sustainable product | Housing made of 60% post-consumer recycled plastic |
How to prepare
- Collect all texts: product pages, banners, About page, e-mails, social posts, packaging.
- Run the free Raportis check on them.
- Record the evidence for every claim you keep (claim, where, evidence, source, review date).
- Remove self-made badges; keep certified labels linked to the certificate.
Information guide, not legal advice. National transposition and enforcement differ by country. Source: Directive (EU) 2024/825, EUR-Lex.