Claims assessment · Product claim
Carbon neutral product
Typical treatment across 5 reviewed regimes. Every verdict below is tied to a stated legal hook.
Market comparison
How this claim is typically treated
5 reviewed markets · one 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 Dictionary termGHG ProtocolThe global standard framework for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, created by WRI and WBCSD, whose Scope 1, 2, and 3 structure underpins virtually all corporate carbon accounting.Read the full definition ; 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 | California AB 1305 — Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures ActOfficial text ↗FTC Green GuidesOfficial text ↗ 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 Dictionary termVerificationThe evidence-based confirmation that a claim about events, data or results already obtained is truthfully stated within defined criteria, scope and materiality.Read the full definition ; 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 | A direct source link has not yet been added for this assessment. View legal reasoningACL s.18/29; ACCC greenwashing guidance (Dec 2023) | Accurate qualification of what is neutral (boundary, scopes); offset quality + retirement evidence |
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Standards and schemes relevant to this claim
These relationships are conditional. A listed standard does not automatically prove every use of the claim.
Disclosure against this standard provides evidence relevant to the claim; the standard does not certify performance.
Corporate Standard (rev. 2004); Scope 2 Guidance (2015); Scope 3 Standard (2011); Product Standard (2011); Land Sector & Removals Standard (2026-01-30)Relationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026Gold StandardCertification scheme · May support subject to conditionsRequires a current valid certificate within the scheme's scope; certification supports but does not by itself prove the claim — wording must reflect certified scope and assurance level.
Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) + rolling requirement updatesRelationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026ICVCM — Core Carbon PrinciplesMeta-framework · Provides evidence relevant toAlignment with the framework is relevant evidence; frameworks define process, not outcomes — claim wording must not imply certification.
Core Carbon Principles + Assessment Framework; rolling assessment decisions (May 2026 batch)Relationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026ISO 14068-1 (Carbon Neutrality)Reporting standard · Provides evidence relevant toDisclosure against this standard provides evidence relevant to the claim; the standard does not certify performance.
ISO 14068-1:2023 (carbon neutrality)Relationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026VCMI Claims Code of PracticeMeta-framework · Provides evidence relevant toAlignment with the framework is relevant evidence; frameworks define process, not outcomes — claim wording must not imply certification.
Claims Code of Practice v3.1 + MRA Framework v1.4; Scope 3 Action Code of Practice (2025-04)Relationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026Verra — Verified Carbon StandardCertification scheme · May support subject to conditionsRequires a current valid certificate within the scheme's scope; certification supports but does not by itself prove the claim — wording must reflect certified scope and assurance level.
VCS Program v5.0 (VCS Standard v5.0 + Program Guide v5.0 + Registration & Issuance Process v5.0)Relationship basis: Standards review 02 · source-linked relationship review · 24 August 2026