## [Germany Implements EmpCo Rules Targeting Greenwashing and Unverified Sustainability Labels Claims](/index%2ephp/consumer-industry-news/germany-implements-empco-rules-targeting-greenwashing-and-unverified-sustainability-labels-claims) January 9, 2026 On 9 January 2026, the Bundesrat (German Federal Council). The document Drucksache 8/26 It constitutes the legislative resolution. of the Bundestag regarding the Third Act amending the Act Against Unfair Competition (Drittes Gesetz zur Änderung des Gesetzes gegen den unlauteren Wettbewerb – UWG). This law transposes the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive ((EU) 2024/825, EmpCo Directive) into German law. Its focused content targets greenwashing by expanding the UWG's prohibitions on misleading commercial practices (§ 5 UWG and Annex to § 3 (3) UWG). Key measures include banning or strictly regulating unsubstantiated environmental claims, sustainability labels without independent third-party verification or public authority backing, generic claims like "eco-friendly" without clear substantiation on the same medium, future-oriented assertions (e.g., "climate-neutral by \[year\]") requiring verifiable plans with measurable targets and independent checks (publicly accessible), claims of climate neutrality based only on carbon offsets, and portraying mandatory environmental compliance as a unique advantage. It mandates clear specification of claim scope (product vs. company) and prohibits misleading whole-product assertions. Primarily B2C-focused, it enhances consumer protection for sustainable choices under the European Green Deal, with private enforcement via competitors and associations. All important dates: Government draft (RegE): September 3–4, 2025; Bundestag adoption: December 19, 2025; Bundesrat publication of resolution: January 9, 2026 (plenary consideration January 30, 2026); EU transposition deadline: March 27, 2026; Application/effective date: September 27, 2026. Source [https://www.bundesrat.de/SharedDocs/drucksachen/2026/0001-0100/8-26.pdf?\_\_blob=…](https://www.bundesrat.de/SharedDocs/drucksachen/2026/0001-0100/8-26.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=1) Consumer News Region - [European Union](/index%2ephp/consumer-news-region/european-union) - [Germany](/index%2ephp/consumer-news-region/germany) Consumer News Tags Bundesrat; German Federal Council; Greenwashing German law; Empco Directive