Starting September 27, 2026, new rules under the EmpCo Directive will take effect—and for consumers, this means a number of changes when shopping, both online and in stores.
Here’s what customers should look out for now:
Terms like “environmentally friendly,” “green,” or “sustainable” can no longer be claimed without justification. If a retailer or manufacturer advertises with an environmental claim—whether on a yogurt container at the supermarket or for a new smartphone—that claim must be explained directly on the product, on the packaging, on the website, or in a brochure, or it must be substantiated by recognized government environmental labels such as the Blue Angel, the EU Ecolabel, or the EU Organic Label.
Self-created sustainability labels without independent verification will no longer be permitted.
For customers, this means:
If you see a label on the packaging, you can be more confident that it’s based on genuine, verifiable criteria—and not just a marketing logo.
Things are also getting simpler when it comes to warranties:
In the future, retailers must provide clear and consistent information about the statutory warranty—via notices posted in the store and on their website. This brings real clarity, especially when purchasing durable goods such as appliances or furniture.
If a manufacturer offers a voluntary durability guarantee of more than two years, this must also be clearly indicated. This means customers should be able to see at a glance what rights and guarantees they are actually entitled to when making a purchase, without having to comb through the fine print.
Conversely, for manufacturers and distributors, this means:
Marketing claims and mandatory EPR disclosures are converging. Anyone already dealing with WEEE labeling, battery take-back programs, or packaging licensing should now have their sustainability claims reviewed to ensure legal compliance.
Our Conclusion
What means greater transparency for consumers when shopping means more verification obligations for companies. Anyone who includes environmental claims on products, packaging, or promotional materials now needs solid evidence and robust compliance processes.
Contact us for comprehensive compliance consulting on electrical equipment, batteries, packaging, and PV panels – and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on laws and trends.
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