DUH v. Obi (Climate-neutral wall paint)

The Regional Court of Cologne (Landgericht Köln) upheld an action brought by the German Environmental Action (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, DUH) against OBI Home and Garden GmbH concerning the advertising of wall paint as “climate neutral.” OBI had marketed the product as “klimaneutral” on its website without providing sufficient information to consumers about how the claimed climate neutrality was achieved.

The court found the advertising claim misleading and prohibited OBI from continuing to advertise the wall paint as “climate neutral” in the same manner. OBI argued that it was not responsible for the claim because another company within the OBI group had made the relevant representation. The court rejected this argument and held OBI responsible. The judgment is not yet final.

The case concerns climate-related consumer protection and greenwashing, specifically the legal requirements applicable to unqualified claims that a consumer product is “climate neutral.”