The CMA, UK may soon issue list identifying/ condemning greenwashing fashion cos

23 March 2022, Mumbai:

A list identifying and shaming greenwashing fashion brands might be released shortly if the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gets its way.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK's competition regulator, a non-ministerial government institution charged with enhancing corporate competition and preventing and decreasing anti-competitive behavior.

It is looking at claims made by the fashion industry in the United Kingdom and will have a list of the worst offenders soon.

Last year, the CMA warned that the corporations had until 2022 to verify that their environmental claims were legal.

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The Green Claims Code, which was released in October, outlines how firms may advertise their green credentials while minimizing the danger of consumers being misled.

"Before leaving with their hard-earned money, more individuals than ever are evaluating the environmental effect of a product. "We're worried that too many enterprises are falsely claiming to be green, while true eco-friendly businesses go unnoticed," said Andrea Coscelli, CMA's Chief Executive.

The Green Claims Code was created for all types of organizations, from multinational corporations to small firms. Failure to comply with the law can harm a company's image with consumers, as well as lead to CMA action.

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Everything from fabric origin, manufacture, and transportation to trash would have to meet specific requirements in order for clothes to be fully sustainable. When a firm brands its products as eco-friendly, consumers should be able to learn about the complete supply chain and corporate procedures, as well as the pollution levels of the products.

According to the CMA, up to 40% of green claims made online may be false, implying that thousands of firms may be breaching the law and jeopardizing their image.

The CMA's 'worst offenders' list might soon include brands who disseminate incorrect or fraudulent information.

Companies will have to explain why specific goods or collections are environmentally friendly, as well as the percentage of recycled fibers in a garment. Shoppers spend about £54 billion on apparel and footwear each year.

Fashion is said to be responsible for anywhere between 2% and 8% of global carbon emissions, as well as waste and pollution. Every year, almost 300,000 tonnes of discarded clothing are burnt or buried in landfills in the United Kingdom.

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CREDITS: The Guardian, UK & Apparel Resources.