Co-authored by Elliott Sarre, Solicitor, IP&T and Ravi Baltutis, Law Graduate, IP&T
Co-authored by Elliott Sarre, Solicitor, IP&T and Ravi Baltutis, Law Graduate, IP&T
Australian consumers are increasingly demanding products that are sustainably sourced and have minimal impact on the natural environment. However, product sustainability is not always easy to assess. Where the accuracy of market information is difficult to evaluate, consumers are vulnerable to deception.
Greenwashing is the deceptive marketing practice whereby claims about how environmentally friendly or sustainable a product or service is, are overrepresented or unsubstantiated. This practice can contribute to consumer scepticism of all green claims more broadly.
This month, the ACCC launched an internet sweep to identify misleading environmental and sustainability marketing claims, stating that at least 200 company websites will be reviewed across a range of targeted sectors including “energy, vehicles, household products and appliances, food and drink packaging, cosmetics, clothing and footwear”.1 The ACCC’s findings of the sweep will be published, and the regulator has vowed to take enforcement action where it identifies instances of consumers being misled or deceived by unsubstantiated green claims.
The ACCC is no paper tiger when it says it will target misleading environmental claims. The ACL prohibits false or misleading representations about goods or services, as well as misleading or deceptive conduct more generally, provisions which apply to all forms of marketing including claims on packaging, labelling and in advertising across all mediums. The ACCC and consumers can seek compensation and injunctions for misleading or deceptive conduct in trade or commerce. Fines and pecuniary penalties also apply for making false or misleading representations. Although the law will allow for a degree of latitude where a statement is regarded as puffery (a claim so wildly exaggerated that no one could possibly treat it seriously), the relevant question is what the ordinary consumer will understand the claim to mean.
On 27 October the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Bill 2022 (Cth)passed both Houses of Parliament. Schedule 1 will commence the day after the Act receives Royal Assent and contains provisions that increase the maximum penalty for making false or misleading representations to the greater of AU$50 million, or three times the value of the benefit received from the conduct, or 30 per cent of the company’s adjusted turnover for the breach turnover period. At the limit, this represents a five-fold increase from the current penalty amount. Additionally, the ACCC may issue infringement notices (imposing penalties) where it has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has contravened the ACL.
ASIC is also closely monitoring greenwashing. This year ASIC has reviewed disclosure practices for a sample of sustainability-related superannuation and investment products with increasing scrutiny of statements made by issuers in relation to net zero commitments and the development of green technologies. 2 ASIC has required clarification or retractions of prospectuses where there are no reasonable grounds for a claim.3 In releasing its report this month, ASIC Chair Joe Longo said ASIC’s near-and-medium-term priorities included greenwashing claims4 and on 27 October 2022 ASIC announced it had taken its first action for greenwashing, issuing infringement notices totalling AU$53,280 in relation to statements and images in two ASX announcements. 5 ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said ‘ASIC is currently investigating a number of listed entities, super funds and managed funds in relation to their green credentials claims. 6
To avoid penalties for breaches of the ACL and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), companies that make environmental and sustainability claims in advertising and financial disclosure materials should ensure that any such claims are scientifically sound and appropriately measured and evidenced. Dentons can assist to evaluate, substantiate, validate, and manage these risks for your business. The recent announcements of the ACCC and ASIC reinforce the importance of carefully considering the identity of the recipient of an advertising claim, what they will understand it to mean and not only being confident of its veracity but also of how that can be demonstrated.
Email me
vanessa.gore@dentons.com
Email me
elise.ivory@dentons.com
Email me
ben.allen@dentons.com
© 2022 Dentons. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. This website and its publications are not designed to provide legal or other advice and you should not take, or refrain from taking, action based on its content.
Unsolicited emails and other information sent to Dentons will not be considered confidential, may be disclosed to others, may not receive a response, and do not create a lawyer-client relationship. If you are not already a client of Dentons, please do not send us any confidential information.
You are switching to another language. Please click Confirm below to continue.
You will now be taken from the global Dentons website to the $redirectingsite website. To proceed, please click Accept.