The new rules apply not only to environmental claims, but also to claims regarding the social characteristics of a product, a company, or its supply chain.
The Commission refers, among other things, to the following social aspects:
- working conditions (such as workers’ rights, fair wages, and workplace safety);
- human rights (such as the absence of child labor or forced labor);
- equity and inclusion (e.g., non-discrimination and gender equality);
- impact on local communities;
- social responsibility throughout the supply chain;
- animal welfare.
These characteristics may therefore be the subject of claims or sustainability labels and fall within the scope of the new provisions.
The general rules of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive also apply to claims relating to social characteristics. Specifically:
- The professional must be able to provide adequate evidence of the accuracy of the factual claims used in the commercial communication;
- Generic claims or those phrased in vague and unverifiable terms should be avoided;
- Sustainability labels may be used only if they are based on a certification system that complies with the requirements of the directive or if they are established by a public authority.
Last modified on 02/10/2026