Check your environmental claims for France before 27 September 2026

Where the rules stand

• Already prohibited in France. “Biodégradable” (biodegradable) and “respectueux de l'environnement” (environmentally friendly) on products and packaging, carbon neutrality without a published emissions assessment and reduction pathway, and any claim that misleads about the environmental qualities of a product.
• From 27/09/2026. Directive 2024/825 prohibits in all circumstances generic claims without recognised excellent performance, carbon neutrality based on offsetting, and sustainability labels that are based neither on a certification scheme nor on a public authority.
• In France. The transposition bill (DDADUE, a bill adapting French law to EU law, Articles 20 and 21) was adopted by the Sénat (the French upper house) on 18/02/2026. As of 16/09/2026, the Assemblée nationale (the lower house) had not yet voted on it. French law on misleading practices already makes it possible to penalise most vague wording.

In the results, “C. env.” refers to the Code de l'environnement (French Environmental Code) and “C. conso” to the Code de la consommation (French Consumer Code).

Details, penalties and the checklist of fixes: guide to Directive 2024/825.

What the tool does not spot

• Logos, labels and pictograms, or text in images.
• Ambiguous wording such as “vert” (green), “naturel” (natural) or “durable” (sustainable, long-lasting), whose meaning depends on the context.
• Evidence for a specific claim: keep the supporting documents (technical data sheets, certificates, calculations), as it is up to you to produce them in the event of an inspection.
• Context: a brand name, a quotation or a blog post may contain a flagged phrase without describing a product.

This tool flags wording to check; it is not legal advice.