Labels such as ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘sustainable’ can be attractive for shoppers wanting to do their bit for the environment but, according to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, it’s not always easy to sort green fact from black fiction.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping (pictured) said a recent internet sweep by consumer agencies around the world, including Consumer Protection in WA, had focused on identifying misleading environmental claims for the first time.
“Globally, 1,095 websites promoting products and services like clothes, cosmetics and food were analysed in the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) sweep, with 40 per cent found to be making claims or using brand-names or language that weren’t supported by evidence,” Ms Chopping said.
“Of the 74 Australian retail websites targeted, concerns were raised about one-third of them for a number of reasons,” she said.
“Some traders used terms like ‘eco’ or ‘sustainable’ in reference to ‘natural products’, but failed to provide adequate explanation or evidence.”
Ms Chopping said the ICPEN sweep also found that traders used their own brand eco logos and labels that weren’t associated with an accredited organisation, and a number even hid or omitted certain information.
She said that at this stage, regulators hadn’t decided whether consumer protection laws had been broken, but the traders identified would come under greater scrutiny and action would be taken if evidence of misleading consumers was found.
“We hope the results of this survey will encourage consumers to look past the logo, slogans and packaging, and read the ingredients label,” the Commissioner said.
“They should ask traders to provide evidence of their green practices and claims, such as independent assessments of the eco-friendly nature or ingredients, as well as proof of any accreditations, affiliations or endorsements from environmental organisations,” she said.
Ms Chopping said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had released a fact-sheet to help people understand and evaluate terms such as ‘green’, ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘environmentally safe’
The ACCC’s two-page fact-sheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
