FTC Invites Comments On "Green Guides" Refresh

Advertising claims about the environmental attributes of a product continue to become more important, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to change how it regulates advertising. The FTC is seeking comment on a long-planned refresh of its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides). The Green Guides serve as the FTC's non-binding enforcement guidance for environmental marketing claims – though the FTC is considering making them enforceable. The FTC is soliciting input on this and other topics for 60 days to begin when the request for public comment is published in the Federal Register.

Background

The Green Guides were last updated in 2012. The FTC first indicated its intent to update the Green Guides in its July 2021 ten-year regulatory review schedule, indicating that it would initiate a review in 2022. After the FTC considers comments submitted during the upcoming comment period, the FTC will likely publish a proposed