Last week, we posted about an NAD case involving green claims that Georgia-Pacific made for its Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong Bathroom Tissue. In that post, we examined issues related to how a company substantiates claims about its present achievements and future goals. Today, we’ll look at the same case, but focus on issues
Green Marketing
NAD Addresses Green Claims About Current Practice and Future Goals
As more companies develop Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) goals and advertise their progress towards those goals, we’re starting to see more challenges to those ads. Most of the challenges come from plaintiffs’ attorneys or competitors, but today’s post is about an inquiry that NAD initiated itself into claims that Georgia-Pacific made for its Quilted…
Allbirds Faces Lawsuit Over Green Claims
This summer, a plaintiff filed a class action lawsuit against Allbirds, alleging (among other things) that the company’s environmental claims – including claims about its “sustainable” practices, the “low carbon footprint” of its shoes, and its other “environmentally friendly” initiatives – are false and misleading.
The complaint – which is based largely on a PETA…
Earth Day = Green Guides
It’s Earth Day! A perfect day to think about the FTC’s Green Guides, designed to help marketers develop claims about the environmental benefits of their products. The Green Guides address the following types of claims: (a) general environmental benefit claims; (b) carbon offset claims; (c) certifications and seals of approval; (d) “compostable” claims; (e)…
California OEHHA Explains Decision to Rescind Proposed “Clarifications” to Prop 65 Rules for Internet Sales; Finalizes Changes to Alcohol Sale Warnings
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) yesterday released its explanation for withdrawing proposed “clarifications” to the Proposition 65 regulations governing internet sales. Last January, OEHHA proposed what it considered to be modest clarifications to the safe harbor warning regulations, including provisions that would:
• Specify that “internet sales” include purchases through mobile…
NAD Urges P&G to Clean Up Detergent Claims
A recent NAD decision that focuses on detergent claims touches on some issues – including implied claims and disclosures – that are relevant to all advertisers. The decision covers a lot of ground, but we’ll focus on a few key points that translate across industries.
The front label of Tide’s Purclean bottle prominently features the…
Ad Law Access Podcast: Green Marketing
As we have written about extensively on this blog, consumers continue to grow more environmentally conscious and demand products that reflect this concern. To meet consumer demands and as part of social responsibility initiatives, companies are increasing their “sustainable” practices, recycling materials, upcycling other products, and working to reduce waste and environmental harms. As…
Earth Day 2020: Fashion Brands Continue Focus on Green Marketing
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day this week, we look at the increasingly pressing topic of green marketing in the fashion industry. Recent studies have shown that environmentally conscious consumers continue to grow in number and demand products that have a reduced effect on the environment. To meet this demand and as…
Protected: 2016 Advertising and Privacy Law Summit Attendee Follow up

FTC’s “All Natural” Cases Are More About “All” Than “Natural”
The Federal Trade Commission announced last week filing of four consent decrees and an administrative complaint relating to companies selling various personal care products – shampoos, sunscreens, moisturizers – featuring claims such as “all natural” or “100% natural.” The FTC alleges that these claims were false or misleading because all of the products at issue…