INDEPENDENT. RECOGNIZED. SECURE.
Legally sound certification:
Get free adviceStudies and documents
Our own consumer studies, technical documents on new regulations and scientific derivations. Each page summarises the key points; the full document is available to download from there.
Almost everyone in Germany knows the term microplastics, and concern runs high, somewhat higher for the environmental consequences than for the possible health consequences. Anyone who can substantiate freedom from microplastics has a selling point. Anyone who merely claims it has a liability risk from 27 September 2026.
A 2025 study by The Goodwins analysed environmental claims in print advertising. More than half of them would no longer be permissible under the EmpCo Directive. In retail and the beverage industry it is up to three quarters. The most common problem is always the same: missing evidence and missing independent verification.
The EmpCo Directive does not prohibit environmental claims. It prohibits four particular kinds: claims about the whole product that only apply to a part of it; vague assertions without measurable evidence; self-made labels without an independent certification scheme; and legal minimum requirements advertised as an outstanding achievement.
In France the authorities have only paid the EPR bonus against independent, accredited evidence since 1 January 2026. In Spain, recycled content has only been recognised for the plastic tax with a certificate from an accredited body since 1 January 2024. Without a certificate there is no credit in either country.
Paper and board contain polymer-based additives such as sizing agents and wet-strength agents, without which they would not have their properties. Six technical sources average 0.93 % of dry weight. Adding the scientifically recognised trace allowance of 0.1 % gives an overall threshold of 1.03 %. These additives are functionally necessary but do not form a plastic matrix of their own.