FTC Requests Comment on Updates to "Green Guides" for Marketing Claims
FTC requested public comment on its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims ("Green Guides") The Green Guides lay out principles to help users avoid potentially deceptive environmental advertising and labeling claims under FTC Act Section 5 ("Unfair methods of competition unlawful; prevention by Commission").
FTC said that it wants to update its Green Guides in light of consumer interest in environmentally friendly products. In its request for public comment, the FTC asks questions as to both environmental claims generally and as to specific environmental topics, including:
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carbon offsets and climate change;
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whether packing or products are "compostable," degradable, ozone-friendly, recyclable, organic or sustainable;
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whether the product contains "recycled content"; and
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the energy efficiency of the product,
The FTC intends to publish the request for comment in the Federal Register in mid-January 2023 and will accept comments for 60 days.