MADRID, 12 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will examine whether environmental claims made by Unilever on certain household goods, cleaning products and toiletries may be exaggerated and misleading to consumers, the UK regulator has announced. .
The decision is part of a wider CMA investigation into ‘eco-posturing’ and arises from concerns about how the owner of brands such as brands such as ‘Cif’ or ‘Dove’ markets certain products, within some brands, as environmentally friendly. environment.
Last January, the CMA expanded its work on environmental complaints to include fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), those essential items that people use daily and are repurchased regularly, such as food and drink, cleaning products, toiletries and personal care items.
The CMA’s initial review uncovered a range of worrying practices and, as part of that work, it has decided to launch a formal investigation into Unilever.
In this sense, he points out that certain statements and language used by the multinational “seem vague and broad, and may mislead buyers regarding the environmental impact of these products,” in addition to the claims about some ingredients being presented in a way that It may exaggerate how “natural” the product is and therefore create an inaccurate or misleading impression.
It also warns that certain green claims (particularly in relation to recyclability) may not be clear, as they do not specify whether they relate to all or part of a product or packaging, while Unilever’s use of colors and images (such as green leaves) can create the general impression that some products are more environmentally friendly than they really are.
As such, the CMA has contacted Unilever and will set out its concerns in writing this Tuesday, after which it will use its information gathering powers to obtain further evidence to progress its investigation.
How the case develops will depend on what the evidence shows and possible outcomes include securing commitments from Unilever that commit the company to changing the way it operates; take the company to court; or close the case without further action.
“More and more people are trying to do their part to help protect the environment, but we are concerned that many are being fooled by so-called ‘green’ products that are not what they seem,” said Sarah Cardell, executive director of CMA.
“So far, the evidence we have seen has raised concerns about how Unilever presents certain products as environmentally friendly. We will delve deeper into these claims to see if they live up to it. If we discover that they are ‘eco-posturing’, we will take action to ensure that buyers are protected,” he added.
