Does this also apply to seals such as “climate neutral” from offsetting providers?

Yes. A seal that certifies climate neutrality through offsetting says the same. The check also reports such images as a seal finding.

What about claims about the whole company?

The rule names products; claims about a company fall under generic environmental claims and need a concrete characteristic. The check reads both.

From when does this apply?

Since 27 September 2026, without a transition period for advertising on websites. In Austria a separate transition rule applies to goods already placed on the market.

This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung

CO₂ & EmpCo

Why may “climate neutral” no longer rest on offsetting projects?

Many companies call their shipping or their products “climate neutral” because they pay climate protection projects, such as reforestation, for their emissions. Since 27 September 2026 they may no longer advertise this way: whoever offsets instead of reducing may not call themselves “climate neutral”. If the check finds both on one page, it reports this as a certain finding.

How the check recognises offsetting

The check looks for words such as “climate neutral”, “CO₂ neutral”, “climate positive” or “carbon neutral” and checks whether the page also names offsetting: offset, compensated, climate protection project, reforestation, certificates or providers such as ClimatePartner and myclimate. If both are on the page, the climate neutrality rests on the offsetting according to the text. Then the finding is certain and costs twenty points. If “climate neutral” stands without any such pointer, there is a note to look into, because the text does not say how the climate neutrality comes about.

What may still be said

Supporting a climate protection project remains allowed, as a separate statement: which project, to what extent, since when. Stating emissions that have actually been reduced also remains allowed, with a number, reference year and method, for example “Our shipping causes 40 % less CO₂ than in 2022, calculated according to ISO 14067”. Only the step from offsetting to the claim that the product is therefore climate neutral is ruled out.

Examples

Shipping

Not met

Unser Versand ist klimaneutral: Wir gleichen alle Emissionen über Klimaschutzprojekte aus.

Passes

Wir unterstützen ein Aufforstungsprojekt in Kärnten mit 2 € je Bestellung. Unser Versand verursacht 1,2 kg CO₂ je Paket (2025, eigene Berechnung nach ISO 14083).

Search your website and your seal graphics for “climate neutral”, “CO₂ neutral” and “climate positive”.
Remove the claim where it rests on offsetting projects, and describe the project separately as a contribution with name and extent.
Instead, state the emissions actually reduced, with number, reference year and calculation method.

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