The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued a call for public feedback on Draft Guidelines aimed at preventing and regulating greenwashing practices. These guidelines, available on the Department of Consumer Affairs website, seek to address deceptive or misleading practices related to environmental claims in advertisements.
The Department of Consumer Affairs formed a committee comprising stakeholders from various sectors, including NLUs, law firms, government bodies, voluntary consumer organizations, and industry associations, to deliberate on the issue of greenwashing. After three meetings, the committee finalized the Draft Guidelines, which are now open for public consultation until March 21, 2024.
Under these proposed guidelines, greenwashing is defined as any misleading practice that involves concealing relevant information or making false environmental claims. The guidelines apply to advertisers, service providers, product sellers, advertising agencies, and endorsers, and emphasize the need for transparent and verifiable environmental claims.
Key provisions include requiring full disclosure of environmental claims, avoiding selective data presentation, and substantiating claims with credible evidence and third-party verification. Additionally, aspirational environmental claims can only be made with clear plans for achieving them.
These guidelines aim to promote honest and transparent communication regarding environmental claims, ultimately empowering consumers to make informed choices
