Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
Context:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is seeking public feedback on the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Governance)
Key highlights:
- In 2023, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) formed a committee with stakeholders to address “Greenwashing”, which includes NLUs, law firms, Government and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs), and major industry associations.
- After three meetings, the committee finalized the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing.
- The draft guidelines define Greenwashing as any deceptive or misleading practice involving concealing, omitting, or hiding relevant information, exaggerating environmental claims, and using misleading words or imagery.
- These guidelines will apply to all advertisements, service providers, product sellers, advertisers, advertising agencies, or endorsers. They specify that terms like ‘green’, ‘eco-friendly’, etc., should be accompanied by sufficient disclosures.
- Additionally, companies making green claims must provide various disclosures and ensure that all environmental claims are supported by verifiable evidence.
