The ESG register · EU

Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive

Generic environmental claims and carbon neutrality based on offsetting are banned toward consumers.

Identifier

Direktiv (EU) 2024/825 — CELEX 32024L0825

Status

phased

Applies

2026-09-27

Supervisor

Nationella konsumentmyndigheter

Who is covered

Traders marketing goods or services to consumers in the union.

Requirements in the text

• Bilaga I, punkt 4a

  Ban on generic environmental claims

  Using a generic environmental claim without demonstrating recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim is prohibited. Terms such as environmentally friendly, green or climate smart, without specificity and evidence, count as an unfair commercial practice in themselves, with no need to prove consumer effect in the individual case. The claim must attach to the part of the product it concerns.

  Example — A detergent pack labelled environmentally friendly must be reworded to state that the bottle is 95 percent recycled plastic, since the claim otherwise lacks specific substantiation.

• Bilaga I, punkt 4c

  Ban on carbon neutrality based on offsetting

  Claiming that a product has neutral, reduced or positive climate impact is prohibited where the claim rests on offsetting emissions outside the product's value chain. The ban covers wording on climate neutrality, carbon offset delivery and similar where purchased credits are the basis. Claims about actual reductions in the own chain are unaffected.

  Example — An airline removes a climate neutral journey label built on tree planting credits and instead reports the share of renewable aviation fuel per flight.

Counterpart in the other regime

• FTC Green Guides · United States · 16 CFR Part 260
• California AB 1305 · United States · Health & Safety Code §§ 44475–44475.2 (AB 1305, 2023)

Official source — EUR-Lex, direktiv (EU) 2024/825 · read 2026-09-01 · Green claims and marketing