Manufacturers “greenwashing” consumers with exaggerated claims: Study

LONDON - Customers are being duped into buying products that have exaggerated claims of being ‘green’, according to a British consumer watchdog.

An analysis of 14 “eco” laundry tablets, toilet cleaners and nappies revealed that almost half made claims the manufacturers did not back with convincing evidence, a study commissioned by the magazine “Which?” found.

“When companies make clear green claims, it helps consumers make eco-choices with confidence. But our experts concluded many companies did not provide enough evidence to back up their claims,” the Scotsman quoted Which? editor Martyn Hocking, as saying.

“Products targeting green consumers have a responsibility to be clear and unambiguous. While claims may be scientifically proven, the evidence has to be accessible to the average consumer,” John Twitchen, of green communications agency Sauce Consultancy, added. (ANI)