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ARTICLE · 21 JULY 2023

Eight Commandments For Environmental And Sustainability Claims To Avoid ACCC's Greenwashing And Breaches

K&L Gates
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just issued its long anticipated guidance on the making of environmental and sustainability claims. The ACCC has set out eight...

United StatesEnvironment
Ayman Guirguis
Ayman Guirguis
Thomas Farinelli
Thomas Farinelli
James Gray
James Gray
Jenna Yim
Jenna Yim

IN BRIEF

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just issued its long anticipated guidance on the making of environmental and sustainability claims. The ACCC has set out eight principles which, in its view, businesses should follow when making such claims to comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

The guidance follows the ACCC's 'Greenwashing by Businesses in Australia' Report in March 2023, where internet sweeps revealed that 57% of websites and businesses that were reviewed made 'concerning' claims about their environmental practices.

The principles set out by the ACCC are in essence a restatement of the ACCC's long-held views and therefore contain no 'surprises.' The focus of the principles is very much on ensuring:

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