Central Consumer Protection Authority Issues Guidelines on Greenwashing Prevention (2024)

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has released comprehensive guidelines to prevent and regulate greenwashing or misleading environmental claims in 2024. These guidelines define essential terms, including ""advertisement,"" ""advertiser,"" ""advertising agency,"" ""environmental claims,"" and ""greenwashing,"" and apply to all entities involved in advertising such claims—manufacturers, service providers, traders, advertising agencies, and endorsers.

Key requirements include:

Prohibition of Greenwashing: Advertisers are prohibited from engaging in greenwashing or making misleading environmental claims.
Substantiation of Claims: All environmental claims must be supported by verifiable evidence.
Transparency and Certification: Ads must disclose all material information, using credible certifications for specific claims.
Truthfulness and Clarity: Claims must be truthful, clear, and unambiguous, with misleading endorsements or certifications strictly prohibited.
These guidelines supplement existing laws, with the CCPA’s decision serving as the final authority in disputes.

Source: https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/latestnews/Greenwashing_Guidelines.pdf

Region:  India