(Finance) – Following an alert from the European Consumer Organization (BEUC), the European Commission and the EU national consumer protection authorities (CPC network) have sent letters to 20 airlines identifying different types of potentially misleading green claims and inviting them to bring their practices in line with EU consumer law within 30 days.
The CPC network, led by the Belgian General Directorate for Economic Inspection, the Dutch Consumer and Markets Authority, the Norwegian Consumer Authority and the Spanish General Directorate for Consumer Affairs, focused on the companies’ claims aerial according to which the CO2 emissions caused by a flight could be offset by climate projects or through the use of sustainable fuels, to which consumers could contribute by paying additional tariffs.
The authorities fear that the identified practices may be considered deceptive actions/omissions, prohibited under Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. For their part, airlines have yet to clarify whether such claims can be based on solid scientific evidence.
“If we want responsible consumers, we must provide them with accurate information – commented Vera Jourova, vice president for values and transparency – More and more travelers are concerned about their environmental footprint and choose products and services with better environmental performance. They deserve accurate, scientific answers, not vague or false statements. The Commission is fully committed to empowering consumers in the green transition and fighting greenwashing. We expect airlines, as well as any other industry operator, to make responsible use of environmental declarations.”