According to the new regulatory definition, the environmental excellence of a product or service can be demonstrated through one of the following means:
- EU Ecolabel;
- Type I environmental certification schemes that comply with ISO 14024, established at the national or regional level and recognized by Member States;
- Excellent environmental performance recognized by other European Union regulations, according to the European Commission
The use of a generic environmental claim is contingent upon the existence of evidence of excellence. This evidence must be relevant to the environmental benefit being communicated. The certification or reference system used must, in fact, pertain to the specific environmental aspect covered by the claim and not to other characteristics of the product or the company. For example:
- The claim “energy efficient” may be used if the product falls within the highest efficiency class specified by the applicable energy labeling system;
- The claim “biodegradable” cannot be justified by referring to a certification that does not include biodegradability among its criteria;
- Similarly, claims such as “environmentally conscious, ” “responsible, ” or “sustainable” cannot be based solely on the presence of a label or certification of environmental excellence, since these terms also refer to social, economic, or ethical aspects that go beyond environmental performance alone.
In the event of a dispute, the professional must be able to demonstrate both the existence of the certification or accreditation used and its actual relevance to the claim made.
Last modified on 02/10/2026