Competition and Markets Authority launches online survey about misleading ‘eco-friendly’ claims
Highland Council Trading Standards are urging both Highland businesses and consumers to take part in an online survey regarding misleading environmental claims. The survey, which was launched this month ends on Monday 14 December 2020.
In 2019, UK consumers spent £41 billion a year on ethical goods and services – almost 4 times as much as people spent two decades ago*.
Based on its own research and evidence from other enforcers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned that the high demand for green products and services from both consumers and businesses could lead to some unscrupulous businesses making misleading, vague or false claims about sustainability or the environmental impact of the things they sell or promote.
The questionnaire takes under 10 minutes to complete and questions focus on industries where consumers appear to be most concerned about misleading claims including textiles and fashion, eco energy claims, travel and transport and fast-moving consumer goods (food and beverages, beauty products and cleaning products)
The CMA intends to publish guidance for businesses next summer to help them support the transition to a low carbon economy without misleading consumers.
Highland Council Trading Standards are keen to promote this work and wish to encourage consumers in the Highlands to take part online through the following link: Misleading Environmental Claims Consumer Survey .
Likewise, businesses can also take part by going to link: Environmental Claims: Business Survey
All updates on the CMA’s work in this area can be found on the misleading environmental claims case page.
*Figures about consumer spending are taken from the Co-op’s report ‘Twenty Years of Ethical Consumerism’.