Environmental claims are very important to most buyers. This is why green consumers see red when companies use misleading statements to market their products and services.To protect consumers from market deception and protect honest businesses from improper accusations by competitors, the FTC has taken enforcement actions against false or unsubstantiated claims. environmental promises.For companies looking to keep their green proposition truly blue, the agency’s The Guide to the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims provides information on how consumers understand common statements. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is revisiting its Green Guidelinesyes Ask for your feedbackk.
The Green Guide was published in 1992 and revised in 1996, 1998 and 2012 to comprehensively reflect the legal and this Practical. They are not separate federal regulations.Instead, they explain the FTC’s thinking How the FTC Act’s prohibitions on unfair or deceptive practices apply to environmental claims that consumers may encounter in the marketplace.The guide also includes dozens of real-world assumptions The situation facing the company When trying to make a green claim.
Federal Trade Commission‘General practice is to review its rules and guidance at least every ten years. Do you still need them? Have consumer perceptions changed? Should some modifications be made to increase consumer benefit? What is the impact on businesses, including small businesses? The Federal Register notice begins with 19 questions regarding the current operation of the Green Guide in the marketplace.
The FTC also asks you what you think about the use of certain terms in advertising, labeling, and packaging. The current Green Guide covers claims such as “recyclable,” “recycled content,” “compostable,” “degradable,” and “ozone safe/ozone friendly,” but should we re-examine consumers’ understanding of these terms? ?
In addition, the Federal Register Notice invites you to learn more about statements about carbon offsets and climate change. yes Are there misleading climate change-related claims in the market? Should the FTC provide guidance to help advertisers avoid deception?exist? wattAbout energy use and energy efficiency?should us Thinking about adding energy-related statement guidance to your household items or other products?
and So what about the claims of “organic” and “sustainable”? As described in a Federal Register Notice, in 2012, the FTC declined to issue guidance on “organic” claims for non-agricultural products, determining that it did not have sufficient consumer perception evidence to provide guidance on “sustainable” claims. Should we revisit these decisions?
We welcome your feedback. You must submit public comments by February 21, 2023.
