Adidas, Shell and Lufthansa: A German NGO will detect the washing of companies in the European Union in the European Union

It is not uncommon to see the shelves of the products that are announced as a “neutral carbon” or “Environmental respectable”. But these data are not always clear or supported by evidence, and the courts force companies to withdraw them.

Deutsche UMWELTHILFE (DuH) is the non -profit A wave of litigation against “green washing” or green washing Which prevented more than 100 companies from announcing their products or companies’ activities such as Good for the environment. Among them are manufacturers of gels, sports shoes, and cruise operators and airlines.

Agnes Sotter, head of the DuH Environmental Market Control, states that companies are increasingly declaring their products and services With supposed environmental advantages Since buyers are more aware of the influence of the things they acquire.

But the data does not always resist checking. According to a study conducted in 2020 by the European Commission, more than half of the environmental allegations of the European Union It was mysterious, misleading, or unfoundedAnd 40 % lack the basis. “Green washing “It has become an increasing problem that hinders consumers and restores real progress in climate protection and sustainable use of resources,” Sogter says.

What companies are accused of green washing?

Although it has been providing demands for green washing since May 2022, He intensified his performance last year After the Ruling of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) against Dulces Katjes.

The court ruled that there are mysterious conditions as “neutral for climate”, which may mean that the company has already reduced its emissions or that has bought differences Carbon compensationThey will not be allowed unless they are explained correctly in the advertisement itself.

Only in recent months, it faced its About 20 companies for their advertising claims Under German law against unfair competition, claiming that there is a lack of information or difficult companies to prove that climate protection projects they use to achieve neutrality can fulfill their promises.

SAUTER states that the non -profit organization is a defender for consumers “because the correct information about the quality of the product provides purchase decisions Knowing the reason“The judges were comprehensive. Last month, Adidas sports articles have been requested To stop advertising what will be “Generally neutral for 2050“Because I did not clearly explain how this goal will meet.

“Climate protection is an increasingly important issue for consumers, which not only dominates the news, But also daily lifeAs the regional court of the Salum says. ” Consequently, the announcement of a company or its products with alleged climate impartiality can have a major impact on the purchase decision. “In a statement, Adidas states that the decision Exclusively indicates “specific writing” From its website, which has already been modified.

The promises of neutral climate can confuse consumers

SAUTER states that the ads of companies that will be neutral in general in the coming decades The impression of behavior in a sustainable and responsible way“But in most cases, it is nothing but a strict deception of the consumer.”

According to her, these measures Usually inaccurate It is difficult or even impossible to verify. “This advertising data should be reliable and submitted in a understandable way to consumers. In our opinion, anything else is a massive green washing and should stop immediately.”

The Sayyabon Regional Court also banned the flight group in March LufthansaAnd its headquarters in Germany announces that passengers can “compensate” carbon emissions on their trips. The ads gave the wrong impression that the batch would be presented Flight is completely neutral in carbon emissions.

In the past, Duh won a similar legal victory against the airline EurowingsManaged by Lufthansa. Lufthansa states that he is studying the last sentence carefully. Last year, the regional court of Hameburg was estimated A request against the paralysis of Germany For green washing.

Dua claimed that giving customers an option to compensate for emissions by re -spreading their cars with gasoline or diesel It gave a deceptive impression that they can drive without any environmental effectBecause carbon credits were made from forest protection projects in Peru and Indonesia.

Shell Germany announced that the decision forced him to put an end to compensation for CO₂ and stop selling Helix Shell bottles with the “neutral” logo. Likewise, the Carrings Regional Court He concluded that consumers have caused a mistake Through the advertising promise of the Tui Cructions Cruise Combian company, its operations Marital flights will be removed For 2050.

propaganda

Some DuH demands indicate specific products. After the prosperity of a lawsuit, the OBI home chain received order Do not announce a wall paint like “neutral weather”.

Judicial procedures send a “clear sign” to companies

Some of these cases are still subject to appeal, and Duh You will monitor the final sentences. In 2023, Duh was executed by the court against DM Drug stores for Consumer deception With the term “neutral climate” and “neutral for the environment” in some products.

When the company started announcing again with a new logo “Working with Environmental Need”, Duh started New judicial procedures Until DM agreed to stop using it as well. Many DUH demands continue to mark and some can resort. But SAUTER states that most of the companies that threatened them with a law withdrew specific advertising claims and announced this They will stop doing that.

Among them are gas suppliers They marketed fossil gas as a green gas Neutrality for the weather, a company from the Bauhaus Group, which announced an available grill that has been manufactured With “100 % natural materials” And the small furniture stores that marketed a chair as “environmental respectable”.

propaganda

According to Saghir, its activities were “strong signal effect” and Announcing climate neutrality Based on compensation data, “decrease quickly”.

Organizers also take action

And Duh has not ended yet. newly, I have sent stop and withdrawal cards to five companies It is reported that he announces environmental advantages without providing information in this regard: COTY cosmetic company “Respected Ocean”; Deichmann and Tchibo for shoes and clothes that are marketed as “sustainable”; Too DIY brand for sheets that are marketed as “good environment”; And L’Oreal because of his “commitment to sustainability”.

DuH victories apply directly to business activities in Germany. But SAUTER recalls that the right of the competition is organized across the European Union, and therefore, if the German court considers that the declaration is misleading, it is very likely to be a court of another country in the European Union right.

Organizational agencies also took measures against green washing. For example, the announcement of the British Authority (ASA) was banned Unjustified data about the weather. ASA and its rewards in the Netherlands have ordered Shell and its subsidiary companies that withdraw environmental ads.

propaganda

Duh is now asking the new German federal government to create Clear standards and fines Against deception of consumers. He has already been asked to issue new European Union standards for consumer training on environmental transition. It is possible that in the future you must apply the law proposal to Green washing Which is expected to be treated for both buildings around products and companies.

SAUTER says that Sustainability It cannot be just a marketing trick and must lead to Real improvements in product design. “After all, the sincere protection of the climate and the environment is an urgent need for the climate crisis and can only be strengthened with clear regulations.”