EmpCo Claim Checker

How the EmpCo Claim Checker works

What you get

  • A clear answer per claim. Not allowed, possible with conditions, or low risk, with the reason in plain English.
  • Wording you can use. One or two templates per claim, ready to copy and fill in.
  • What to have ready. The evidence you need to back the wording up, and the source of every answer.

What EmpCo changed

How it works

  • Your three answers are looked up in one fixed rules table that covers every combination. There is no AI and no free text.
  • "Not allowed" is only used where the law or the European Commission says so explicitly. Everything else is "Possible with conditions" or "Low risk".
  • The rules follow EU law, with the Dutch article shown alongside. Other EU countries implement the same directive in their national law.

The three results

  • Not allowed. Used only where the EmpCo blacklist (Annex I) or the European Commission says so explicitly.
  • Possible with conditions. Rules apply case by case: misleading practices, future claims, or the rules on advertising between businesses.
  • Low risk. No EmpCo ban applies, provided the claim is specific and not misleading.

The rules

Every combination the checker knows, as of 2 October 2026.

Consumers can see it
ClaimProduct or serviceCompany as a whole
Climate neutralNot allowedNot allowed
CompensatedNot allowedNot allowed
Climate positiveNot allowedNot allowed
Reduced impactNot allowedPossible with conditions
Net zero targetNot allowedPossible with conditions
A label or logoNot allowedPossible with conditions
ContributionLow riskLow risk
Only business customers
ClaimProduct or serviceCompany as a whole
Climate neutralPossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
CompensatedPossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
Climate positivePossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
Reduced impactPossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
Net zero targetPossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
A label or logoPossible with conditionsPossible with conditions
ContributionLow riskLow risk
Only in a sustainability or annual report
ClaimProduct or serviceCompany as a whole
Climate neutralLow riskLow risk
CompensatedLow riskLow risk
Climate positiveLow riskLow risk
Reduced impactLow riskLow risk
Net zero targetLow riskLow risk
A label or logoLow riskLow risk
ContributionLow riskLow risk

FAQ

What is EmpCo?

Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, also called the ECGT Directive. It changes EU consumer law and applies from 27 September 2026. In the Netherlands it is part of the Civil Code (Book 6) and enforced by the ACM.

Does this apply to B2B companies?

The EmpCo bans only cover communication aimed at consumers. Between businesses, the general rules against misleading advertising still apply, so B2B claims must still be accurate and specific. Anything consumers can see, such as your public website, counts as consumer communication.

Can I still buy carbon credits?

Yes. The rules are about what you claim, not about buying credits. Contribution claims remain possible.

What about the Green Claims Directive?

The proposal has stalled since June 2025 and is not in force.

Is my data stored?

Your answers stay in your browser. We store your name, work email and a summary of your checks (which audiences and claims you checked and the results), so a Climate Strategist can follow up if you ask for a review.

Is this legal advice?

This checker gives general orientation based on Directive (EU) 2024/825, the European Commission's Q&A and ACM guidance as of 2 October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not assess your specific communication. Have important claims checked by a legal adviser.

Sources

Checked on 2 October 2026. Next review by 2 April 2027.

This checker gives general orientation based on Directive (EU) 2024/825, the European Commission's Q&A and ACM guidance as of 2 October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not assess your specific communication. Have important claims checked by a legal adviser.

Talk to a Climate StrategistTalk to us

Can you still say "climate neutral"?

Since 27 September 2026, the EU's EmpCo rules ban many claims based on carbon credits. Check what you want to say, see why, and get wording you can use instead.

  • Built for claims about carbon credits
  • Safer wording for every claim
  • Every answer linked to the source

Check your claim

Takes about 2 minutes. No account needed.