20 supervisory authorities write open letter to fashion and textile industry

On Wednesday, 20 consumer protection authorities published a nine-sided open letter worldwide, which can be viewed on the website of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (Icpen). The signatories include supervisory authorities from the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Turkey, Spain, Poland, France, Hungary, Australia, South Korea and Peru.

With the letter, they hope to increase the standard in environmental statements. “National laws may be different, but this letter underlines that the same basic principles apply to companies in many different countries,” it says.

International supervisory authorities take action against Greenwashing

These basic principles are: to ensure that claims are fair, clear and precise that there is sufficient evidence to underpin the allegations that the use of vague and general terms is avoided and that the focus is not on future wishes, but on already taken measures to achieve the goals.

The letter also states that the supervisory authorities call up to avoid certificates created themselves. The Icpen members observe an increase in environmental seals created by companies themselves or by third parties. Certificates should give a precise impression of the environmental impact of a product. If this is not the case, the use of such a seal is a misleading statement. Icpen also points out that certificates are sometimes used for marketing an entire product, although the certificate is only valid for part of the product.

The use of a “sustainability” filter in web shop is also criticized. Since the conditions of this filter are often unclear, the impression can arise from consumers: the products are better inside than they actually are. For example, Icpen recommends switching the filters to certain certificates or to more precise criteria, about “at least 50 percent recycling materials”.

Icpen and the undersigned of the letter state that you are open to discussions with brands and representatives of interest: inside who want to discuss the content of the letter.

At the European level, directive is being worked on at the Green Claims. The specific legal situation is further tightened and comes into force at the earliest in 2027. The guideline for environmental statements is to be provided against misleading information on environmental protection. The EU will appoint national control authorities to enforce them. If a violation of the guidelines is determined, a company threatens a fine of at least four percent of the annual sales.

This article originally appeared on fashionunited.nl and was translated using digital tool. He was then carefully edited.