The time has come

to think creatively for the future, and it’s time to update our language.

Eco-friendly Sustainable Environmentally friendly.

?

The whole world started using these terms, and we all adopted them. But what do they really mean, and are they appropriate?

The Cambridge dictionary defines sustainable as:

'...causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time'

It defines eco-friendly as not harmful to the environment, or trying to help the environment https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sustainable https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/eco-friendly

The ACCC states: ‘Green’, ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘environmentally safe’

Businesses should clearly and accurately explain why their products are ‘greener’, or more environmentally ‘safe’ or ‘friendly’ than other similar products.

If no other information is provided to support such claims, they should not be relied upon and could, in some circumstances, be considered misleading.

The need to be aware of compliance obligations is becoming more important as consumers are becoming increasingly conscientious around climate change and sustainability. Environmental considerations will often directly impact their purchasing decisions.

One of the ACCC’s enforcement and compliance top priorities for 2023-24 is:

‘Consumer, product safety, fair trading and competition concerns in relation to environmental claims and sustainability.’ https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/accc-priorities/compliance-and-enforcement-policy-and-priorities#toc-this-year-s-priorities the ACCC states: p9, acc.gov.au/greenmarketing and the ACL

Using “green” credentials as a marketing tool is entirely legitimate, providing the credentials are genuine, and can be shown to be so.

Claims should be speci c, not unquali ed and/or general statements