Context:
Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims 2024 released recently.
Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims 2024:
- Released by – Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- Issued under the – Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Purpose – Foster truthful and meaningful environmental claims and to address deceptive advertising of ‘green’ products.
Key Highlights:
- Provides a definition of Greenwashing – Defines Greenwashing as deceptive practices including
- Concealing or omitting relevant information.
- Exaggerating or making vague, false, or unsubstantiated claims.
- Using symbols or imagery to emphasize positive aspects while downplaying harmful attributes.
- Applicability – Applies to all environmental claims.
- Transparency Requirements – Prohibits generic terms like “eco-friendly,” “green,” and “sustainable” without adequate substantiation.
- Requires detailed information on the methodology and data supporting such claims.
- Third-Party Certifications – Requires statutory or independent third-party verification for claims such as compostable, degradable, recyclable, climate-positive, etc.
- Aspirational or Futuristic Claims – Allowed only with clear and actionable plans detailing how objectives will be achieved.
Source: Dpt of Consumer Affairs
Previous Year Question
“Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meteorological Organisation
Answer: (c)
