Increasing confidence in 'green' credentials

New proposals to build consumer confidence in environmental claims and labelling have been announced today by Defra.(22 March)

The proposed update of the Green Claims Guidance will make it easier for businesses to market their ‘green’ credentials in a fair and understandable way.

Two consultations have been launched - one aimed at helping consumers identify goods and services that are genuinely better for the environment, and another ensuring that energy-using products such as dishwashers, washing machines, TVs and fridges meet minimum energy standards and give accurate information on their energy label (the ‘A-G’ label).

Environment Minister Dan Norris said:

“With so many products claiming to be environmentally friendly, it is difficult to tell which companies are really making big improvements. The updated Green Claims Guidance will help businesses with genuine ‘green’ credentials by providing clear practical guidance on how they should advertise. Importantly, it will protect consumers from misleading and confusing claims.

“The proposed new enforcement powers should build consumers’ confidence that legally binding minimum energy efficiency standards for products are being met and that energy labels are accurate, so they can make properly informed choices. This will make it easier for people to do the right thing by the environment”.

Both consultations run from 23 March 2010 to 15 June 2010.

26 March 2010