The Central Consumer Protection Authority has introduced new guidelines to prevent green washing, which refers to misleading environmental claims. These Guidelines seek to foster truthful practices where environmental claims are both truthful and meaningful, thus enhancing consumer trust and encouraging sustainable business practices.
Who Do These Guidelines Apply To?
These guidelines apply to:
- All environmental claims made by businesses.
- Manufacturers, service providers, traders, or advertising agencies involved in promoting goods or services with environmental claims.
What is an Environmental Claim?
An environmental claim refers to any statement or representation about:
- The goods (product, packaging, manufacturing process, usage, or disposal).
- The services provided (processes involved in delivering the service).
- These claims are made to suggest that a product or service is environmentally friendly or eco-conscious.
What is Green washing?
Green washing refers to:
Misleading practices that exaggerate or make unsubstantiated claims about a product’s environmental benefits.
Using misleading symbols, words, or images to make a product seem more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
Mandatory Disclosures:
- Full, accurate information about the environmental claim must be disclosed in advertisements.
- Information should be accessible through QR codes or URLs for more details.
- Only favourable data should not be highlighted while unfavourable information is omitted.
- The specific area of the product or service being claimed as environmentally friendly (e.g., the product itself, its manufacturing process, or its disposal) must be clearly stated.
- If comparing products or services, the comparison must be based on verifiable data, specifying what aspects are being compared.
- Claims such as “compostable,” “recyclable,” or “plastic-free” must be backed by third-party certifications or scientific evidence.
By following these guidelines, businesses can ensure their environmental claims are truthful, transparent, and contribute to building consumer trust.
