How the FTC’s Green Guides Shape Environment-related Product Claims

Jun 27th, 2023

Maggie Spicer, Source Beauty ESG, Washington, D.C., USA

Cosmetics & Toiletries

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Green Guides for environmental product claims are undergoing their first update in a decade and the FTC is seeking feedback to shape the next iteration.

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Green Guides for environmental product claims are undergoing their first update in a decade and the FTC is seeking feedback to shape the next iteration.

At the end of 2022, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it would review its guidelines for making environment-related marketing claims, aka the Green Guides. These guides were first issued in 1992 and most recently updated in 2012; this update will be the fifth iteration of the Green Guides. Following is a synopsis of the current guides, as well as examples of issues that have generated increased interest in recent years, and for which the FTC is seeking feedback. Furthermore, excerpts from cosmetic industry comments and suggestions for the Green Guides are provided.

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