Greenwashing and EmpCo in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Does it apply to you?
Many green claims are heading for the blacklist – however well you mean them; this concerns every trader that uses environmental claims on packaging, on its website or in advertising. We check what exactly applies to you.
up to €200,000 – fine for an unfair commercial practice, including a misleading environmental claim – Slovakia (Section 43(1)(a) of Act No. 108/2024 Coll.) · up to €400,000 for a repeated breach within 12 months; Czech Republic: up to CZK 5 million (Section 24(22) of the Consumer Protection Act), in a coordinated action by supervisory authorities of several states up to 4% of turnover (Section 24(23))
Free and without obligation · a few questions · no registration
You answer a few questions and within 2 working days you receive your Pravano Kompas: which obligations apply to you in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. We communicate in English, in writing.
What it is, who it concerns and since when it applies.
What is EmpCo?
EmpCo is Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition. It changes the rules on unfair commercial practices: it prohibits generic environmental claims (environmentally friendly, nature-friendly) unless the trader demonstrates recognised excellent environmental performance, and it sets rules for sustainability labels and for information on durability and reparability. As a directive it does not bind companies directly: in the Czech Republic it has to be transposed by a Czech act; in Slovakia it is transposed by Act No. 310/2025 Coll., which amends Act No. 108/2024 Coll. on consumer protection.
Who does EmpCo concern?
Every trader that uses environmental claims towards consumers on packaging, on its website or in advertising: brands, online shops, manufacturers of consumer goods and marketing. A claim of neutral, reduced or positive climate impact based on offsetting of emissions is on the blacklist without exception; so is an own sustainability label that is not based on a certification scheme. In Slovakia these are Annex 1, points 8 and 3 of Act No. 108/2024 Coll.
Czech Republic: since when?
The EmpCo directive applies in the member states from 27 September 2026. The Czech amendment to the Consumer Protection Act (parliamentary print 53) has been through its second reading on 24 June 2026; the opinion of the lead Economic Committee on the amendments was delivered to deputies on 4 September 2026 (print 53/4); as at 28 September 2026 the third reading had not taken place, and the transposition deadline of 27 March 2026 has already passed. When exactly it will affect companies will only be determined by the entry into force of the Czech amendment. Until then, green claims are sanctioned through the general prohibition of misleading practices.
Slovakia: since when?
From 27 September 2026. Act No. 310/2025 Coll. (passed on 21 October 2025, promulgated on 19 November 2025) is effective in this part from the same day from which the directive is to be applied under its Art. 2. Unlike the Czech Republic, where the law has not yet been adopted, transposition in Slovakia is complete and the date is certain.
Czech Republic: what is at stake?
Green claims are sanctioned in the Czech Republic as an unfair commercial practice under the Consumer Protection Act: a fine of up to CZK 5 million (Section 24(22)) and, in a coordinated action by supervisory authorities of several states under Art. 21 of Regulation 2017/2394, up to 4% of total annual turnover, or up to CZK 50 million if turnover is not known (Section 24(23)). Supervision is carried out by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI), in some sectors by other authorities (food: Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI); cosmetics: regional public health authorities (KHS)).
Slovakia: what is at stake?
A misleading environmental claim is an unfair commercial practice under Act No. 108/2024 Coll. The supervisory authority (for ordinary goods and services the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI)) may impose a fine from €200 up to 2% of turnover for the previous accounting period, at most €200,000 (Section 43(1)(a)); in a coordinated action against a widespread infringement with a Union dimension from €500 up to 4% of turnover without a cap (Section 43(2)(a)); for a repeated breach within 12 months up to €400,000 (Section 43(3)(a)). The rate is halved if the trader ends the infringement and remedies it (Section 44(1)).
What can go wrong
- Czech Republic: a claim such as “climate neutral” based on offsetting of emissions will be banned absolutely, with no possibility of defence.
- Slovakia: a claim such as “climate neutral” based on offsetting of emissions is banned absolutely from 27 September 2026, with no possibility of defence (Annex 1, point 8 of Act No. 108/2024 Coll.).
- An own eco-label without an independent certification scheme ends up on the blacklist (in Slovakia Annex 1, point 3).
- Slovakia: a fine of up to €200,000 from the Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI).
- Competitors and consumer organisations actively watch green claims – the risk is not only regulatory.
What we do for you
- We go through your website, packaging, online shop and campaigns and flag risky claims – for Slovakia against the Slovak blacklist.
- We propose specific rewording that keeps the meaning of the message and holds up.
- We set up an internal rule on how to approve new claims, so that the problem does not arise again.
What exactly we go through.
Czech Republic
- Generic environmental claims and whether they can be substantiated
- Claims based on offsetting of emissions
- Sustainability labels and logos and their certification basis
- Future performance claims and whether they are backed by a plan and independent verification
- Communication on durability, reparability and updates
- Information duties on guarantees, including the harmonised label
Slovakia
- Generic environmental claims without specification and whether they can be substantiated (Annex 1, point 6)
- Claims based on offsetting of emissions (point 8)
- Sustainability labels and logos and their certification basis (point 3)
- A claim about the whole product or business when it concerns only a certain aspect (point 7)
- Future performance claims and whether they are backed by a plan with independent verification (Section 10(2)(d))
- Presenting legal requirements as a distinctive feature of the offer (point 15)
- Environmental and social characteristics and circularity aspects as a main characteristic of the product (Section 10(1)(b))
- Supervision and fine rates by type of goods (Sections 26 and 43 of Act No. 108/2024 Coll.)
The scope is based on verified facts – every point is linked to a specific provision of the EU act or of the Czech or Slovak law in its current wording. The binding texts are the legislation itself; our English outputs explain it and cite the provisions.
A fixed price in advance. No hourly billing.
The check is free. A fixed price for the result, not for time. Prices in euros, excluding VAT.
Map Start
For a small online shop: up to 3 product groups
- Map of obligations for your role
- Recommended next steps
- Delivery usually within 5 working days
- 3 months of Watch free
Delivery usually within 5 working days of confirming the scope and receiving your documents.
Order Map StartMap
For a brand or online shop with all its communication
Everything in Map Start, plus:
- Full portfolio, no group limit
- Map of affected claims and new prohibitions
Delivery usually within 10 working days of confirming the scope and receiving your documents.
Order MapGuide
For a company that wants to fix its claims, not just know they are wrong
Everything in Map, plus:
- Checklist: what to do and by when
- Readiness report
- Claim review: what to rewrite, what to substantiate, what to drop
- Letter to your supplier requesting evidence for claims
- 30/60/90-day action plan
Delivery usually 3 to 5 weeks after confirming the scope and receiving your documents.
Order GuideOngoing Support
For a company that wants to introduce new rules and rewrite its communication with us
Everything in Guide, plus:
- Internal rules for claims
- Support while rewriting your communication
- Tailored consultations
- 6 months of Watch free (instead of 3)
Delivery according to the scope agreed in the confirmation, usually 6 to 10 weeks.
Order Ongoing SupportWhat each package includes
| Map Start | Map | Guide | Ongoing Support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | up to 3 product groups | full portfolio and communication | full portfolio and communication | full portfolio, with full support |
| Map of obligations for your role (with citations of the law) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recommended next steps | ✓ | ✓ | 30/60/90-day action plan | 30/60/90-day action plan |
| Ready-made documents | — | — | checklist, readiness report, claim review | checklist, readiness report, claim review |
| Letters to suppliers | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Implementation, support and tailored consultations | — | — | — | internal rules, rewriting communication |
| Indicative delivery time | usually within 5 working days | usually within 10 working days | usually 3–5 weeks | usually 6–10 weeks |
| Watch free | 3 mo. | 3 mo. | 3 mo. | 6 mo. |
| Money-back guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Price credited on upgrade within 60 days | towards Map and Guide | towards Guide | — | — |
EmpCo Watch €169 per month keeps track of rule changes in this area for you: a report every Monday, cancel any time with effect from the end of the month. Order the Watch →
Prices excluding VAT · fixed price for the result · paid by bank transfer against an invoice in EUR due in 14 days (we may ask for payment in advance for Guide and Ongoing Support, and for any package from companies established outside the EU – Terms Art. 4.2). For small companies there is Map Start at €199. By ordering you agree to the terms and conditions (English translation; the Czech version prevails).
What you ask most often.
When does it start to apply?
Can we keep saying “climate neutral” if we offset our emissions?
We have our own label “Eco Choice”. Is that a problem?
Do the new rules introduce an obligation to substantiate every claim?
Who supervises compliance?
I don’t understand regulations. Can I manage this?
Is the Map or the Guide the same as an audit with a guarantee of compliance?
In depth: the national rules explained.
3 minutes to fill in. Within 2 working days you know what applies to you.
We will send you the Pravano Kompas: an overview of obligations for your company, deadlines and recommended steps. Free and without obligation.
- Data protected under the GDPR, analytics cookies only with consent
- No spam – marketing only with your explicit consent
- Pravano Kompas within 2 working days – prepared with the help of AI, checked and approved by a person
- Protected (Cloudflare Turnstile)
Prefer to write? info@pravano.cz – a person reads it and replies in English.