Don't be green about supposedly 'green' products
Thursday, 31st March 2011.
Research carried out by Suffolk Trading Standards has revealed that some businesses have been using misleading environmentally-focused claims to promote their products and services.
The results have been released during National Climate Week, when attention is turned to the environmental impact of the things people buy, use and throw away.
Suffolk Trading Standards is now urging consumers to watch out for potentially misleading information that traders may use to sell their goods.
Clive Edwards, senior fair trading officer, said: “If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to look for products that are less ecologically damaging. But not all green claims are what they appear to be. Don’t be fooled by terms such as ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ on packaging.”
The county council is providing guidance on what to look out for. A ‘green claim’ should not be vague or ambiguous - the best explanations are those that make specific claims, such as ‘contains 70 per cent recycled paper’.
What you can do as a consumer:
· Check the claims are precise and clearly explained;
· Check to see if there are any real environmental benefits;
· Look for official energy efficiency information on domestic electrical appliances;
· Look for approval or recognition by independent bodies;
· Avoid buying over-packaged goods that lead to the production of more waste;
· Try to buy goods packaged in materials that can be recycled.
Trading standards services are responsible for ensuring that claims are accurate. The Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 make it a criminal offence to market goods in a way that is either false or misleading.
If you have any doubts or concerns about your purchase, please contact Consumer Direct at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or phone 08454 04 05 06.
The results have been released during National Climate Week, when attention is turned to the environmental impact of the things people buy, use and throw away.
Suffolk Trading Standards is now urging consumers to watch out for potentially misleading information that traders may use to sell their goods.
Clive Edwards, senior fair trading officer, said: “If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to look for products that are less ecologically damaging. But not all green claims are what they appear to be. Don’t be fooled by terms such as ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ on packaging.”
The county council is providing guidance on what to look out for. A ‘green claim’ should not be vague or ambiguous - the best explanations are those that make specific claims, such as ‘contains 70 per cent recycled paper’.
What you can do as a consumer:
· Check the claims are precise and clearly explained;
· Check to see if there are any real environmental benefits;
· Look for official energy efficiency information on domestic electrical appliances;
· Look for approval or recognition by independent bodies;
· Avoid buying over-packaged goods that lead to the production of more waste;
· Try to buy goods packaged in materials that can be recycled.
Trading standards services are responsible for ensuring that claims are accurate. The Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 make it a criminal offence to market goods in a way that is either false or misleading.
If you have any doubts or concerns about your purchase, please contact Consumer Direct at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or phone 08454 04 05 06.
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