ESG Enforcement Tracker

Key facts:

The NGO Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH)) filed a claim against drugstore company Beiersdorf AG in connection with advertising statements that some of its products were “100% climate neutralised”. The adverts claimed that Beiersdorf used carbon offsetting through certified climate protection projects to compensate its emissions.

DUH alleged that Beiersdorf had breached consumer protection law by failing to provide sufficient information for consumers to corroborate the company’s claims of climate neutrality.

In May 2023, Beiersdorf submitted a cease-and-desist declaration to the Hamburg Regional Court committing the company to greater transparency in its advertising. For example, future adverts will include internet links and QR codes to directly refer to pages providing more information about projects used to offset or compensate carbon emissions.