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Renewable Energy Claim is Deceptive

Green Building Law Update

But it is suggested that the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides, designed to help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. ยง The claim would not be deceptive if the marketer clearly and prominently disclosed all renewable energy sources.

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FTC Settles Charges Over Deceptive Zero VOC Claims

Green Building Law Update

Four paint companies have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively promoted products as containing zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or as emission free, including during and immediately after application. Some promotions also made explicit safety claims. The four companies, Benjamin Moore & Co.,

Claims 176
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FTC Warning about Green Certification Seals

Green Building Law Update

Three weeks ago the Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to 5 providers of environmental certification seals and 32 businesses using those green seals, alerting them to the Agencyโ€™s concerns that the seals could be considered deceptive in violation of federal law. The FTC enforces the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. ยง

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FTC Cracks Down on Environmental Marketing Claims

Green Building Law Update

The Federal Trade Commission announced six enforcement actions last week, including against companies that marketed supposedly biodegradable plastic rebar cap covers, plastic golf tees, and plastic shopping bags, as part of the agency’s ramped up crackdown on environmental claims. ECM Biofilms, Inc. Clear Choice Housewares, Inc.

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What You Can Say about RECs is Regulated by the FTC

Green Building Law Update

Businesses who generate renewable energy, say, by using solar panels, but sell the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for the renewable energy they generate shouldnโ€™t claim they โ€œuseโ€ renewable energy. The Federal Trade Commissions has advised that such a claim would be deceptive.

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FTC Finds Truly Organic is Not

Green Building Law Update

million to settle a Federal Trade Commission greenwashing complaint alleging that their nationally marketed bath and beauty products are neither โ€œcertified organicโ€ nor โ€œveganโ€ as falsely claimed. By way of a federal court order that became final last month, Truly Organic Inc. and its founder will pay $1.76

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Organic on the FTC Agenda

Green Building Law Update

The word is โ€œorganicโ€ as it relates to non-agricultural products is the topic of the October 20, 2016, roundtable sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. If a business makes environmental claims in its ads or on its products or in its building, the Federal government offers guidance through the FTC’s Green Guides.