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Restricted claim

“Zero emissions”

Is “Zero emissions” allowed under the EU Green Claims Directive (2024/825)?

High-risk claim Carbon & climate

Why it is restricted

Absolute and almost always false for a physical product across its lifecycle. It is defensible only for a narrowly defined stage that genuinely emits nothing, and the stage must be named.

Say this instead

"Zero tailpipe emissions" or "our Tallinn plant runs on 100% contracted renewable electricity" — with the boundary stated.

In English

  • “emissionsfrei”
  • “zéro émission”
  • “emissievrij”
  • “cero emisiones”
  • “a impatto zero”
  • “heitmevaba”
  • “päästötön”
  • “utsläppsfri”

Legal basis

UCPD Article 6(1)(b) as amended by Directive 2024/825; Directive 2005/29/EC, Annex I point 4c, inserted by Directive 2024/825, where the claim rests on offsetting

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Related claims

“Carbon positive” High-risk claim “CO2 reduced” Medium-risk claim “Reduced carbon footprint” Medium-risk claim “Carbon neutral” High-risk claim “Carbon negative” High-risk claim “Climate neutral” High-risk claim

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