Two-thirds of Brits sceptical of sustainability-related business communications
Two-thirds of adults in the UK say they are wary of business communications relating to environmental and social purpose because they feel most brands are not yet walking the talk .
Consumers have lost trust due to past instances of brands over-stating their positive impact, the survey found
That is one of the headline findings of a new poll of 4,700 people, conducted by YouGov on behalf of GOOD Agency. The results of the survey were published today (15 April).
As has been the case with several previous pieces of recent research, the survey revealed that most consumers want to choose purpose-led, sustainable brands when possible, with cost and time constraints ranked as the top barrier to doing so. Half of those surveyed said they do not have the time or money to shop ethically as much as they would like.
Greenwash: 40% of websites misleading consumers on environmental credentials
An annual sweep of corporate websites has found that four in ten are providing information on environmental criteria that could be considered misleading and potentially breaking consumer laws.
The sweep found that 40% of the websites posted vague claims that failed to define “eco”, “sustainable” or “natural products”
The International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) hosts annual website “sweeps”, where brands are examined to remove potentially fraudulent, deceptive or unfair online conduct.
For the first time, ICPEN has focused on environmental claims and whether they provide accurate information to consumers. Led by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) the latest sweep of almost 500 websites found that 40% were posting potentially misleading environmental information.
Close to half of green claims made by companies could be misleading, according to a new study by competition regulators around the world.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, and others across the globe, analysed around 500 websites promoting products and services.
It found that four in 10 of the websites were using tactics that could be considered misleading and potentially broke consumer law.
They included making vague claims and unclear language, such as attaching labels like “eco” or “sustainable”, without explaining what this meant.
The regulators also aimed criticism at own-brand eco labels which were not connected to any established group, meaning the company had set its own goalposts.
4-in-10 eco-friendly claims could be misleading theiet.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theiet.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Global sweep finds 40% of firms’ green claims could be misleading
A CMA co-ordinated global review of randomly selected websites has so far found that 40% of green claims made online could be misleading consumers.
From:
28 January 2021
The International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN) hosts an annual sweep of websites, which gives consumer authorities across the world the opportunity to target fraudulent, deceptive or unfair conduct online. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) led the latest sweep, focusing on misleading environmental claims for the first time.
As part of the international sweep, ICPEN members have so far analysed almost 500 websites promoting products and services across a range of sectors, including clothes, cosmetics and food.