De Bijenkorf adjusts vague sustainability claims after reprimand from regulator
De Bijenkorf has updated its website to remove vague sustainability claims after a reprimand from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
According to the regulator, the home and clothing retailer had vague claims on its website, such as “sustainable products” and “lower environmental products.” Customers could also filter for “sustainable choices.” But De Bijenkorf did not provide sufficient substantiation for why these products were more sustainable than alternatives.
According to ACM director Edwin van Houten, it is wonderful that companies advertise their sustainability efforts, but they must be clearly substantiated and explained so that consumers can really make more sustainable choices.
“That’s why we’re calling companies like De Bijenkorf out on their use of vague and general claims. Consumers can only rely on claims that are accurate and that they understand,” ACM said. In De Bijenkorf’s case, the sustainability claims primarily concerned clothing and cosmetic items.
.jpg){kind=link}