Colleagues in our Intellectual Property & Technology team recently published an article focusing on the Competition and Market Authority’s (“CMA”) greenwashing investigation.
Greenwashing is the use of disingenuous environmental or eco-friendly claims (for example, “natural”, “recyclable”, “organic”) by businesses to market products to consumers. This may be done via “statements, symbols, emblems, logos, graphics, colours and product brand names” as noted on the Government’s Green Claims Campaign site. Greenwashing has become more prevalent as consumers increasingly prioritise the impact of their environmental footprint and consider the sustainability of their purchases.
With the current movement in the area, and particularly in light of the CMA’s potential increased enforcement ability, it is a good time for businesses to audit their green claims and ensure their regulatory compliance, ahead of any potential CMA investigatory focus.