Advertising regulators get tough over "greenwash"

"They are the buzzwords that companies are jostling to be associated with: being 'carbon neutral', 'wholly sustainable' or 'low emission' has become ever more important as the market for environmentally friendly products booms.

"However, in their attempt to clamber on to the multibillion-pound green bandwagon, many businesses are forgetting one not-very-small point: the claims need to be true.

"After upholding complaints about companies including Scottish & Southern Energy, Shell and British Gas, advertising watchdogs are preparing to clamp down on what critics call 'greenwash'.

"The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) will announce plans soon to tighten codes about green marketing. In a consultation paper to be published in the next few weeks, it is expected to suggest making codes governing 'green' claims far more specific. Advertising codes are set by the CAP and are policed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ..."
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Categories: environment, corporations, greenwash, disinfo, disinformation