FTC Final Revised “Green Guides” Tackle Certification Disclosures

FTC’s final revised “Green Guides” urge companies to disclose material connections to third-party certifiers when touting environmental seals on products, among other recommendations. While not legally binding, the guides are intended to help firms avoid FTC enforcement action.

In the final version of its revised “Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims” for consumer products, the Federal Trade Commission advises firms to disclose any material connection with the sources of third-party “green” certifications and seals of approval used on packaging or in marketing.

“Whether a material connection exists depends on whether the ties between the marketer and certifier likely affect the weight or credibility of the certification,” the agency said in an Oct

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