The Bureau takes this opportunity to give its general
perspective on environmental claims
GATINEAU, QC, July 22,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Competition Bureau is
launching a public consultation to gather input from Canadians on
specific questions related to the new greenwashing provisions of
the Competition Act.
This consultation will inform the Bureau's development of
enforcement guidance about environmental claims, including its
interpretation of the new provisions.
The new provisions about greenwashing were added to the law
following a series of amendments that took place on June 20, 2024. Simply stated, businesses are now
required to have testing or substantiation to support certain
environmental claims.
The Bureau invites interested parties to provide feedback on the
consultation questions by September 27,
2024, by emailing
greenwashingconsultationecoblanchiment@cb-bc.gc.ca. Each submission
received will be published on the Bureau's website unless the
provider requests that it be kept confidential.
General perspective on environmental claims
The Bureau also released a new edition of the Deceptive
Marketing Practices Digest that addresses environmental claims.
This edition aims to provide a foundation to understand the issues
around environmental claims in general and how businesses can
comply with the provisions of the Competition Act already in
place prior to the amendments.
Quotes
"The Competition Bureau has received a large number of requests
for guidance on the interpretation of new provisions of the
Competition Act aimed at greenwashing. Through our
consultation on these new provisions, we will provide guidance that
will offer transparency and predictability for Canadians."
Matthew Boswell,
Commissioner of Competition
Quick facts
- Important amendments to the Competition Act became law
on June 20, 2024, following Royal
Assent of Bill C- 59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation
Act.
- The Bureau has intervened in two cases related to false or
misleading environmental claims over the past few years: Keurig and
Volkswagen.
- The June 2022 amendments to the
Competition Act increased the penalties for misleading
advertising and deceptive marketing practices.
- The Bureau issued a consumer alert in 2022 to raise awareness
and reporting of greenwashing.
- The Bureau strongly encourages anyone who suspects that a
company or individual is making deceptive marketing claims to
report it by using our online form.
Related products
- Public consultation on Competition Act's new greenwashing
provisions
- Deceptive Marketing Practices Digest – Volume 7
- Competition Bureau statement regarding guidance on
Competition Act's new greenwashing provisions
Associated links
- Implementing changes to the Competition Act
- Guide to the June 2024 amendments
to the Competition Act
- Environmental claims and greenwashing
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The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency
that protects and promotes
competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices
and innovation while fueling economic growth.
SOURCE Competition Bureau