CCPA Issues Guidelines for Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Claims

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In News

  • The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken steps to regulate misleading environmental claims by issuing the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024. 

Need 

  • These guidelines are designed to address the growing issue of “greenwashing,” where companies falsely claim or exaggerate the environmental benefits of their products, misleading consumers and diverting attention from genuine environmental efforts.

Key highlights of the guidelines are

  • Clear Definitions: The guidelines provide definitions for terms such as environmental claims and greenwashing.
    • Greenwashing refers to any deceptive or misleading practice, such as concealing, omitting, or exaggerating environmental claims. It also includes the use of symbols or imagery that emphasize positive environmental aspects while downplaying or concealing negative or harmful attributes.
  • Application: These guidelines apply to all environmental claims made in the marketplace.
  • Substantiation and Disclosure: Companies must substantiate their environmental claims with credible evidence and detailed disclosures, including methodology and data supporting the claims.
    • Terms such as sustainable, natural, organic, and regenerative cannot be used without proper qualifiers or adequate substantiation.
  • Third-Party Certifications: The guidelines accept statutory or independent third-party certifications to verify environmental claims like compostable, degradable, or recyclable.
  • Transparency Requirements: Companies are required to provide clear and accessible disclosures about the environmental claims they make. The claims should specify what aspect they refer to (e.g., product, manufacturing process, or packaging) and be supported by reliable scientific evidence or certifications.
About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
– Established under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019 and operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
– The body plays a key role in regulating matters related to consumer rights violations, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements.
– It is empowered to protect consumer rights by preventing false or misleading advertisements, among other responsibilities.
Section 21 of the CPA, 2019: This section grants the CCPA substantial powers to act against false or misleading advertisements, and outlines specific penalties for such practices

Source: PIB

 

Other News of the Day

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy Context The World Food Day 2024 (October 16) theme is ‘Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future,’ highlighting the need for equitable access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all. About Food security is vital for individual well-being and social stability. The FAO’s 2024 report estimates that...
Read More

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy and Infrastructure Context The Central government announced the setting up of three centers of excellence (CoE) in artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities. About The Union Budget of 2023-24 had proposed the setting up of AI-CoEs with a financial outlay of ₹990 crore over the period of 2023-24 to...
Read More

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy In News The National Electricity Plan (Transmission), launched by the Union Cabinet. About National ElectricityPlan (Transmission) The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) developed the plan in consultation with stakeholders, emphasizing the integration of 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems and 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants. Key components: The plan outlines the...
Read More

Syllabus: GS3/Environment Degradation; Disaster Management Context Global warming is raising sea levels and making flooding more common in some areas. Researchers have held them responsible for discouraging the growth of plants of many tree species in coastal areas. About The study paper has reported that a rising sea and coastal flooding could actually enhance the...
Read More

Context India has reached a significant milestone as the country’s total renewable energy capacity crosses the 200 GW (gigawatt) mark in 2024. India’s Energy Basket India’s Renewable Energy Capacity India’s total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW.  Having the 8,180 MW (megawatt) of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost...
Read More

Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) Syllabus: GS1/Climate Context The northeast monsoon set in over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, bringing heavy rain to the northern parts of the State. About The Northeast Monsoon, also known as the Retreating Monsoon, occurs from October to December and is characterized by winds blowing from the northeast. This monsoon primarily affects...
Read More

Daily Current Affairs - December 31, 2022

Context Recently, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to categorise the two dominant communities, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, as “moderately backward” from the “backward” category in a move that could increase their share in reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC). About Karnataka currently has 32% quota for OBC, and 17% and 7% quota...
Read More

In News Armenia and India celebrated 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in the year 2022. India-Armenia Relations Historical Links: The Mamikonians, a revered aristocratic dynasty which controlled vast swathes of Armenia until the 8th century. A branch of the family moved between Armenia and India, and the greatest warrior...
Read More

In News Recently, the National Ganga Council informed that the Union government has spent more than Rs 13,000 crore on cleaning the Ganga since 2014. The council met after three years. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. More about the news  Namami Gange Programme:  The Centre had launched the...
Read More

In News India and Saudi Arabia are recently in talks to sign a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to obtain formal assistance from each other in investigations related to criminal cases. More about the news  India has so far signed MLATs with 45 countries and is also in talks to...
Read More

In News Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully fired the Extended Range (ER) version of BrahMos air-launched supersonic cruise missile. BrahMos About: The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea-based targets. The ER air-launched missile weighs 2.65 tonnes, which will...
Read More

In News Recently, the RBI’s latest Financial Stability Report (FSR) indicated that India's banks and non-bank lenders can withstand even the worst of macro-economic stress. RBI’s stress testing models have been criticised in the past for a significant upward bias.  Major Highlights of the report  Financial stability has been maintained....
Read More

In News The Central government recently raised interest rates on eight of the 12 small savings schemes by 20 to 110 basis points. What are Small Savings Schemes Small savings schemes are designed to provide safe and attractive investment options to the public and at the same time to mobilise...
Read More