It is not customary to see the shelves of the products that are declared as “carbon neutral” or “Environmental Respect”. But these statements are not always clearly or supported by evidence, and courts are forced to withdraw companies.
The German non -Profit organization, Daich Umveltilf (DUH) has been carried out in the last three years Case wave against ‘Greenwashing’ or Green Washing This has prevented more than 100 companies from announcing their products or corporate activities Good for the environment. Among them are the shower gel and sneakers and cruise operators and airlines manufacturers.
Agnes Chatter, the chairman of the Du’s Environmental Market, says that companies will announce their products and services increasingly With environmental benefits Buyers are more aware of the impact of what they get.
But statements do not always oppose the study. According to a study conducted by the European Commission in 2020, more than half of environmental accusations in the EU They are vague, misleading or unfoundedAnd 40% of the foundation. “Green This has become a growing problem with consumers and prevents real progress in the consistent use of climate protection and resources, ”says Satter.
Which companies have been blamed for green washing?
It has been made by the demand for green washing since May 2022, Too intensified his performance last year Following the verdict of the Federal Court (BGH) against the Dowels Cuttings.
The court ruled that the vague words “neutral to the climate”, which means a company has actually reduced its emissions or bought controversy Carbon compensationThey will only be allowed if they are correctly explained in the notice.
Too faced only in recent months About 20 companies for their advertising claims Under the German law against unfair competition, there are challenging companies to prove that there is a shortage of information or that the climate protection programs they use can fulfill their promises.
Chatter says that the non -delivery system is considered a consumer protector “because the exact information about the quality of a product allows for purchase results With the knowledge of the reason“. The judges are comprehensive. Last month, Adidas game articles were ordered To stop notifying what to be “Neutral for 2050“Because I do not clearly explain how this goal will meet.
“Climate security is an increasingly important issue for consumers. It is not only the messages but also dominated, But everyday life“, Says the Regional Court of Colonia.” Publish a company or its products with climate neutrality, so the purchase will have a significant impact on the end. “In a statement, Adidas results Refers to “specified character” exclusively On its website, it has already been changed.
Climate Neutral Promises may confuse consumers
Chatter says corporate ads that companies will be jointly neutral in the coming decades The idea of acting in a stable and responsible manner“But in most cases this is only a obvious cheat for consumers.”
As for her, these activities They are usually made accurately And is difficult or impossible to check. “These advertising statements must be credible and be presented to consumers in a sense of understanding. In our opinion, nothing else is massive lush laundry and immediately stopped.”
Colonia’s Regional Court also banned aircraft in March LufthansaWith the German base, travelers declare that they can “compensate” the carbon emission of their aircraft. The ads gave the wrong idea that the payment would be paid Fly completely neutral in carbon emission.
Too has previously won a similar legal success against the airline EurovingsPowered by Lufthansa. Lufthansa says she is reading the last sentence carefully. Last year, Hamburg’s regional court was estimated The shell request against Germany Green washing.
Du accused customers of providing the option to compensate for emission by rethinking their cars with petrol or diesel Gave them a deceptive idea that they could drive without any environmental impactThis is because it was a carbon budget from the forest protection programs in Peru and Indonesia.
Shell Germany announced that the decision was forced to put an end to the compensation of Co₂ and stop selling the shell helix bottles ‘-neutral’ logo. Similarly, Carlsru’s Regional Court He decided that the consumer error was triggered Tui Cruz Cruz’s Advertisement Promise Cruise is made of decarponis For 2050.
AdvertisementSome demands of DUH refer to specific products. After developing a case, the Home Store Chain Chain Obi Order Do not declare wall paint like “neutral to weather”.
Judicial activities send “clear identity” to companies
Some of these cases are still subject to appeal, and tuh This will monitor the final sentences. In 2023, DUH passed the court order against TM drug stores Deceive the consumer With the words “neutral for climate” and “neutral to the environment” in some products.
When the company began to announce again with a new slogan that ‘environmental neutrality’ New judicial procedures Until TM agrees to stop using it. Many demands of Two continue their course, and may seek some. But most of the companies they legally threatened have withdrawn specific advertising claims and declared that it has announced it They will stop doing it.
There are gas suppliers in them They marketed the fossil gas as green gas P Au announced a disposable grill to neutral for a company of Haas Group With “100% natural products” And small furniture shops marketed as a chair “environmental respect.”
AdvertisementAccording to Chatter, the activities of the two had a “strong signal effect” Advertisement with climate neutrality Based on compensation reports “rapidly declined.”
The regulators are also taking action
Du is not yet over. Recently, He has sent the parked cards and returns to five companies He says that the environmental benefits are not provided in this regard: Gotti, the beauty of its sunscreen, is “respected the sea”; Techman and dipo for shoes and clothing are marketed as “standard”; Doom DIY brand for laminate marketed “good for the environment”; And for his “dedication to the consistency.”
DUH’s successes only directly to commercial activities Germany. But Chatter recalled that if a German court considers that the right of the competition is controlled at the EU level, therefore, if a German court thinks that a notice is misleading, another country’s court in the EU is correct.
Regulatory agencies have also taken action against greenhouses. For example, the advertisement of the British Commission Commission (ASA) prohibited a Lufthansa ad Unreasonable statements about the weather. The equivalent of the ASA and the Netherlands has ordered the shell and their subsidiaries to withdraw environmental advertising.
AdvertisementToo now asks you to establish the new German central government Clear standards and fines Against the cheating of consumers. He must already announce the new EU standards imposed on consumers for environmental change. In the future you should use the proposal of the law Green It is expected to solve both reports and companies.
Chatter says Consistency It cannot be a maneuvering of marketing, and to lead Actual improvements in the design of products. “After all, the honest security of the climate and the environment is an urgent need for the climate crisis and can only be strengthened by clear regulations.”
