2023-12-12 11:08:38
CMA is investigating Unilever’s green claims. The British regulator wonders whether the company pretends to be more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), it appears as if the group behind products such as Dove soap, Ax deodorant and Magnum ice creams sometimes engages in greenwashing, or deception about the sustainability content of products.
According to the market authority, Unilever uses vague terms. These can give consumers a wrong impression of the impact of Unilever products on the environment.
The British group describes certain ingredients in a way “that may exaggerate how natural the product is”, the regulator believes. Claims about the possibilities for recycling materials are also unclear, because it is not clear whether this concerns only the packaging or the entire product. The market authority has not yet mentioned any concrete examples.
If the CMA determines that Unilever is indeed greenwashing, the company could be forced to make adjustments. The market authority can also take Unilever to court or, in the worst case, close the case.
Unilever reacted with surprise and disappointment to the announcement of the investigation, but said it would cooperate with it. “Unilever is committed to making responsible claims about the benefits of our products on our packaging and making these transparent and clear,” the group said.
Unilever is not the only company under investigation. In January, the CMA announced that it would investigate the sustainability claims of companies.
1702384189
#British #regulator #investigates #greenwashing #Unilever #Economy