We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
    • ASPE Live 2022
  • PODCASTS
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » FTC Seeks Comments on Green Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims

FTC Seeks Comments on Green Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims

January 18, 2023
No Comments
FTC Seeks Comments on Green Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.jpg

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking feedback on its environmental advertising guidelines, known as the “Green Guides,” to help companies avoid misleading environmental claims about their products, services, and processes. As the FTC’s request pertains to international laws, regulations, or standards with respect to environmental marketing claims, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages relevant stakeholders to respond by the FTC deadline on Feb. 21, 2023.

A 2022 IBM sustainability report revealed that 3 out of 5 consumers indicated socially responsible or sustainable products made up at least half of their last purchase. As consumer interest in buying environmentally friendly products surges, companies continue to shift goals to deliver sustainability-focused products. To support trustworthy environmental claims, the FTC first issued its “Green Guides” in 1992, with the mission to help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive, under Section 5 of the FTC Act that prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.”

The “Green Guides”— most recently revised in 2012 — provide guidance on environmental marketing claims, including how consumers are likely to interpret particular claims and how marketers can substantiate these claims to avoid deceiving consumers.

As noted in the Federal Register, since the 2012 revision, increased attention to environmental concerns, including climate change and issues driven by the COVID-19 public health crisis, have likely encouraged continued environmental claims related to various products, packaging, services, and manufacturing processes.

The FTC will address carbon offsets and climate change guidance, the terms “recyclable and recycled content,” and assess the need for additional guidance.

Additionally, the commission seeks to address whether there are international laws, regulations, or standards with respect to environmental marketing claims it should consider as the FTC reviews “the Guides.” The FTC asks: “Should the Guides be modified to harmonize with these international laws, regulations, or standards? If so, why, and how? If not, why not?”.

“Consumers are increasingly conscious of how the products they buy affect the environment, and depend on marketers’ environmental claims to be truthful,” said Bureau of Consumer Protection director Samuel Levine. “We look forward to this review process, and will make any updates necessary to ensure the Green Guides provide current, accurate information about consumer perception of environmental benefit claims. This will both help marketers make truthful claims and consumers find the products they seek.”

Access additional information via the Federal Register and the FTC press release.

Associations Codes & Standards Industry Community News Marketing
  • Related Articles

    ANSI Seeks Comments on Draft Proposal for New ISO Technical Committee

    ASHRAE Seeks Third Round of Comments on Legionella Guideline 12

    ANSI Seeks Comments on ISO Standard Proposal on Water Efficient Products

  • Related Products

    Directory Listing - Premium

    CEU Webinar

  • Related Events

    Council for Research on Distributor Best Practices “Digitizing the Sales Process” Consortium

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • Stories From the Mechanical Room Podcast: The Math Never Lies ft. Taco Comfort Solutions' John Barba

  • Newly Released Scorecard Ranks States for Water Efficiency and Sustainability Policies

  • What Recent Storms Show About the State of California’s Plumbing

  • Winsupply President John McKenzie Retiring

Featured Video

Flow aide

JC Whitlam Flow Aide Biodegradable System Descaler Kit

Industry Events

  • 31Jan

    KBIS 2023

    Las Vegas, NV
  • 31Jan

    IBS 2023

    Las Vegas, NV
  • 02Feb

    LPG Expo 2023

    Orlando, FL
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw01 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe01 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc01 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Es 2022
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing