Green claims guides
From 27 September 2026, Directive (EU) 2024/825 bans offset-based “carbon neutral” claims, generic “eco-friendly” claims without recognised certification, and self-made eco-labels, and requires specific claims like “recyclable” and future targets to be proven. These guides work through what changes, claim by claim, with each rule linked to its text on EUR-Lex.
Current as of 9 July 2026. General information, not legal advice, only the CJEU can interpret the directive with binding force.
Offset-based neutrality claims are banned outright from 27 September 2026, regardless of credit quality. The exact rule and what to say instead.
Offset neutrality, uncertified generic claims, self-made labels, half-truths and legal minimums, the Annex I bans, with the point number for each.
Generic virtue words are banned unless you hold recognised excellent-performance certification. Three honest routes for your copy.
These specific claims aren’t banned, but you must qualify and evidence each one. How to do it for recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.
Your in-house “eco” badge is out. What counts as a self-made label under Annex I point 2a, and what to use instead.
Forward-looking targets need a clear, objective, independently-verified implementation plan, or they mislead. What Article 6(2)(d) requires.
A practical checklist for proving an environmental claim: specific, true, evidenced, accessible, and on the same medium as the claim.
Two EU instruments, easily confused. Which is adopted and applies from 27 September 2026, and which is a stalled proposal.
The vague words apparel runs on, “conscious”, “responsible”, a “sustainable collection”, are hit hardest. The claims to avoid in hang-tags and PDPs, and what to say instead.
Which of your claims break these rules?
Paste your marketing and packaging copy and get a claim-by-claim verdict against Directive (EU) 2024/825, each flagged claim traced to the rule it engages, with a compliant rewrite.