From China to the UK: How greenwashing is regulated legally across the globe

Plus, a list of DOs when communication environmental attributes of products or services

Welcome to The Crisps–your weekly newsletter on anti-greenwashing and honest fashion communication. In this issue, we give you a global overview of the legal landscape regarding greenwashing. And provide you with a list of DO’s for when you communicate environmental attributes of products or services.

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March is here! To kick this issue off, we have something exciting to tell you. We launched The Crisps in March last year, so we’re turning 1 this month! And to celebrate our first birthday we want to mix things up a little. Instead of our written pro issue, we’re hosting a workshop on anti-greenwashing communication and hope to see many of you! We’ve done it before and the feedback was great so we’re doing it again.

When and where? April, 4th from 5 to 6.30 pm CET via Zoom

Registration and costs: The workshop will be free for all of our pro subscribers.
Free subscribers can register for the workshop by purchasing a ticket for 29€.

Whether you’re a free or pro subscriber, please register via Eventbrite so we know who will be there! Seats are limited, so make sure to sign up early enough.

And with that, let’s get into this week’s issue. We’ve prepared a global overview of the legal situation regarding greenwashing. We’ve covered the EU Green Claims Directive proposal extensively in our past issues. But what about other parts of the world?

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That’s the legal situation for greenwashing in different parts of the world

France

In France, two key legislative instruments regulate greenwashing: The Consumer Code and the Climate and Resilience Law. They are used to make sure consumers are provided with accurate information on the environmental impact of goods and services. The Consumer Code serves as a foundational pillar in this regulatory landscape. It explicitly prohibits misleading commercial practices which include misleading advertising. The Climate and Resilience Law does not only condemn deceptive marketing practices but can also impose penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

To enforce the regulations, France has designated regulatory bodies, such as the Administration for Market Regulation (AMR), which actively monitors and enforces laws against unfair competition and false advertising. The AMR eliminates violations and imposes fines to discourage deceptive marketing practices. This regulatory oversight ensures that businesses adhere to the established standards, fostering a marketplace where consumers can make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information about the environmental impact of products and services.¹