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FTC Green Guides Have Marketing Impact

By Kevin Adler
January 31, 2013

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) released the final revised Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (16 C.F.R. Part 260), commonly referred to as the “Green Guides” in October 2012, adding another layer of clarity to how marketers can justify “green” marketing claims. Originally issued in 1992 and updated several times since that time, the latest Green Guides present a road map for franchisors and franchisees to make environmental claims that might be highly appealing to customers, while not running afoul of regulations about deceptive or unfair advertising found in Section 5 of the FTC Act (15 U.S.C. ' 45). “While the Green Guides are non-binding, the FTC can take action under the FTC Act if a marketer makes an environmental claim inconsistent with the Guides,” wrote Martha L. Perkins, partner, Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP, in a blog post analysis of the Green Guides.

The Green Guides cover claims that could be made in labeling, advertising, promotional materials, and any other forms of marketing in any medium, through words, symbols, logos, depictions, and product brand names. The guidelines apply to business-to-business transactions, as well as business-to-consumer transactions. For franchises, the business-to-business aspect is an important development because it potentially will give them greater confidence that the “green” materials they purchase from third-party vendors are environmentally beneficial.

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