Carbon Credits Compliance & Legal Protection Policy

Effective Date: January 10, 2026
Last Updated: January 10, 2026
Applicable to: Voice The Love Universal & Voice The Change Universal

Introduction

This Carbon Credits Compliance and Legal Protection Policy establishes the legal framework, compliance obligations, and protective measures for Voice The Love Universal and Voice The Change Universal (collectively, "we," "our," or "the Companies") in connection with the offering, marketing, and sale of carbon offset credits and related environmental impact services.

This policy is designed to ensure full compliance with European Union regulations, French national law, and international best practices governing voluntary carbon markets, while protecting both the Companies and our customers from legal liability and greenwashing accusations.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

1.1 French Climate and Resilience Law

The French Climate and Resilience Law (Loi Climat et Résilience), adopted on August 22, 2021, introduced strict regulations governing carbon neutrality claims in advertising. Article 12 of this law prohibits companies from claiming that products or services are "carbon neutral," "zero carbon," "climate neutral," "fully offset," or using any equivalent terminology in advertisements unless specific documentation requirements are met.

1.2 EU Voluntary Carbon Market Regulations

The European Union voluntary carbon market (VCM) operates in a partially regulated environment. While carbon credits are not classified as financial instruments under EU law, emerging transparency requirements under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) impose disclosure obligations on entities using or selling carbon credits.

1.3 International Standards

We recognize and adhere to internationally recognized carbon credit verification standards, including but not limited to:

• Gold Standard for climate and development projects
• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) administered by Verra
• Climate Action Reserve (CAR) protocols
• American Carbon Registry (ACR) standards
• Plan Vivo for community-based projects

2. Our Role and Limitations

2.1 Intermediary Status

Voice The Love Universal and Voice The Change Universal act as intermediaries and resellers of carbon offset credits. We do not own, operate, or directly manage carbon offset projects. Our role is limited to:

• Sourcing verified carbon credits from reputable third-party project operators
• Facilitating the purchase and retirement of carbon credits on behalf of customers
• Providing educational information about carbon offsetting
• Maintaining transparency regarding project verification and impact

2.2 No Direct Project Control

We do not exercise control over the carbon offset projects from which credits are sourced. Project design, implementation, monitoring, and verification are conducted by independent third-party operators and certification bodies. We rely on the accuracy and integrity of third-party verification reports and registry documentation.

2.3 No Carbon Neutrality Claims

Instead, we use accurate terminology such as "carbon offset contribution," "support for carbon reduction projects," "climate action support," and "verified carbon credit purchase."

3. Verification and Quality Standards

3.1 Third-Party Verification Requirement

All carbon credits offered for sale through our Services must be verified by independent, internationally recognized third-party certification bodies. We only source credits from projects that meet the following minimum criteria:

3.2 Registry Documentation

All carbon credits are registered with recognized carbon credit registries, including Verra Registry, Gold Standard Registry, Climate Action Reserve Registry, American Carbon Registry, and Plan Vivo Registry. Each credit sold includes a unique serial number and retirement certificate, which is provided to the customer upon completion of the transaction.

3.3 Transparency Obligations

For each carbon offset package offered, we provide the following information:

• Project Name and Location: Geographic location and description of the offset project
• Project Type: Nature-based (reforestation, avoided deforestation), renewable energy, methane capture, etc.
• Verification Standard: The certification body and standard used (e.g., Gold Standard, VCS)
• Vintage Year: The year in which the emissions reductions or removals occurred
• Co-Benefits: Additional environmental or social benefits provided by the project
• Verification Report Access: Link to publicly available third-party verification documentation
• Pricing Breakdown: Percentage of purchase price allocated to carbon credits versus administrative costs

4. Prohibited Practices and Greenwashing Prevention

4.1 Prohibited Claims

To prevent greenwashing and ensure compliance with French and EU law, we strictly prohibit the following practices:

• Claiming that our business, products, or services are "carbon neutral," "climate neutral," "zero carbon," or "fully offset"
• Implying that purchasing carbon credits eliminates the need for emissions reduction efforts
• Making vague or unsubstantiated environmental claims without verification documentation
• Using carbon offset purchases to obscure or misrepresent actual greenhouse gas emissions
• Claiming specific environmental outcomes that cannot be verified by third-party documentation
• Exaggerating the impact or effectiveness of carbon offset projects

4.2 Accurate Terminology

We use the following accurate and compliant terminology in all marketing and communications:

• "Support verified carbon offset projects"
• "Contribute to carbon reduction initiatives"
• "Purchase verified carbon credits"
• "Offset a portion of your carbon footprint"
• "Support climate action through verified projects"

4.3 Emissions Reduction Hierarchy

We acknowledge and communicate the internationally recognized emissions reduction hierarchy:

1. Avoid: Eliminate unnecessary emissions at the source
2. Reduce: Minimize emissions through efficiency and behavior change
3. Offset: Compensate for unavoidable emissions through verified carbon credits

Carbon offsetting is presented as a complement to, not a substitute for, direct emissions reduction efforts.

5. Customer Obligations and Limitations

5.1 Customer Understanding

Customers purchasing carbon credits through our Services acknowledge and understand that:

• Carbon credits represent an estimated contribution to emissions reduction or carbon removal projects
• Environmental impact is based on third-party verification and project documentation
• We do not guarantee specific environmental outcomes beyond the verified carbon credit quantity
• Carbon offsetting does not eliminate the need for personal or organizational emissions reduction
• Credits are intangible goods that cannot be refunded once retired or cancelled

5.2 No Guarantees of Project Performance

While we source credits from verified projects, we cannot guarantee the ongoing performance, permanence, or additional co-benefits of third-party operated projects. Customers rely on the integrity of third-party certification bodies and project operators.

5.3 Refund Policy for Carbon Credits

Due to the intangible nature of carbon credits and the immediate retirement process upon purchase, carbon credit purchases are final and non-refundable once the credits have been retired in the customer's name.

6. Limitation of Liability

6.1 Third-Party Project Reliance

We rely on the accuracy, integrity, and ongoing performance of third-party carbon offset projects and certification bodies. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim liability for:

• Inaccuracies in third-party verification reports or project documentation
• Project underperformance, reversal, or failure to achieve stated emissions reductions
• Changes in project status, certification, or registry standing after credit purchase
• Disputes between project operators and local communities or stakeholders
• Regulatory changes affecting the validity or recognition of carbon credits

6.2 No Warranty of Environmental Outcomes

Carbon credits represent an estimated contribution to emissions reduction or carbon removal based on third-party verification. We make no warranty or guarantee regarding:

• Specific environmental outcomes beyond the verified carbon credit quantity
• Permanence of carbon sequestration beyond the project's stated guarantee period
• Additional co-benefits such as biodiversity protection or community development
• Future regulatory recognition or acceptance of voluntary carbon credits

6.3 Maximum Liability

In no event shall our total liability to any customer for all claims related to carbon credit purchases exceed the amount paid by the customer for the specific carbon credits in question.

7. Contact Information and Complaints

If you have questions about our carbon credit offerings, verification standards, or compliance practices, please contact us:

Complaints and Disputes

If you believe that carbon credits purchased through our Services do not meet the stated verification standards or if you have concerns about project quality, please submit a written complaint to [email protected] with supporting documentation.

We will investigate all complaints within 30 days and provide a written response. If the complaint is substantiated, we will take appropriate corrective action, which may include providing replacement carbon credits from an alternative verified project or issuing a refund (in cases of verified fraud or misrepresentation).

8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Carbon Credits Compliance and Legal Protection Policy is governed by the laws of France. Any disputes arising from carbon credit purchases shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts.

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