CCPA issues guidelines to prevent greenwashing and misleading environmental claims
On 15 October 2024, in India, the Central Consumer Protection Authority issued the 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024'.
Summary
On 15 October 2024, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued the 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024', under its mandate to regulate misleading advertisements. The guidelines prohibit greenwashing and misleading environmental claims; specific environmental claims must be backed by credible certification or reliable scientific evidence, and words such as sustainable, natural, organic and regenerative cannot be used without adequate, accurate and accessible qualifiers. The guidelines were drafted by a committee chaired by CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare.
Key facts
- Date
- 15 Oct 2024
- Issued by
- Central Consumer Protection Authority
- Title
- Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024
- Rule
- Specific claims need credible certification / scientific evidence
- Restricted words
- Sustainable, natural, organic, regenerative without qualifiers
- Committee chair
- CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which body issued the 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024' on 15 October 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Central Consumer Protection Authority
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) unveiled the guidelines titled 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024'.
Consider the following statements about the CCPA greenwashing guidelines of 15 October 2024: 1. Words such as 'sustainable', 'natural' and 'organic' may be used freely without any qualifier. 2. Specific environmental claims must be supported by credible certification or reliable scientific evidence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: such words shall not be used without adequate, accurate and accessible qualifier. Statement 2 is correct per PIB. So statement 2 is correct.