Claims assessment · Product claim
Carbon neutral product
Typical treatment across five regimes. Every verdict below is tied to a stated legal hook.
Market comparison
How this claim is typically treated
Five major markets · one reviewed comparison
| Market | Typical treatment | Legal basis | What is required |
|---|---|---|---|
| European UnionEU | Prohibited | View legal reasoningEmpCo Dir (EU) 2024/825 Annex I pt 4c — claims that a product has neutral/reduced/positive climate impact due to offsetting are blacklisted; applies 27 Sep 2026 | Remove the claim or substantiate without offsets; absolute emissions data per GHG Protocol; no offset-reliant neutrality wording |
| United KingdomUK | Restricted | View legal reasoningCMA Green Claims Code; DMCC Act 2024 (CMA fines up to 10% global turnover); CAP Code 11 | Full life-cycle basis disclosed; offsets separately stated, not implied in product footprint |
| United StatesUS | Restricted | View legal reasoningFTC Act s.5 + Green Guides 16 CFR 260.5 (offsets); California AB 1305 | AB 1305: website disclosure of methodology, offsets used, registry, protocol, third-party verification; penalties to $2,500/day (cap $500k) |
| CanadaCA | Restricted | View legal reasoningCompetition Act s.74.01(1)(b.1) — adequate and proper test (product claims) | Testing completed BEFORE claim; recognised standard (e.g., ISO 14068); penalties to 3% worldwide revenue |
| AustraliaAU | Restricted | The cited source is recorded in the assessment. View legal reasoningACL s.18/29; ACCC greenwashing guidance (Dec 2023) | Accurate qualification of what is neutral (boundary, scopes); offset quality + retirement evidence |