FTC To Scrutize Green Marketing Claims...

Looks like the FTC finally woke up and smelled the green in green...geez, where have you been?

While the Green Market has been overheating with green wash claims (injurying the marketplace some allege by diluting the authenticity of all green claims), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the key federal consumer watchdog agency has been mute.

But the giant awakes, today. as finally, the FTC announced that it is accelerating review of its environmental marketing guidelines, Green Guides. These have not been revised since 1998 and yes the climate has changed.

The FTC will be holding public meetings or workshops on various green marketing topics. The first workshop, slated for Jan. 8, 2008, will address the marketing of carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs).

The initial comment period on the Green Guides will be open until Feb. 11, 2008.

For insights into the corporate practise of GreenWashing see our previous blog as well as Joel Makower's article comenting on the Six Sins of GreenWashing.