Zalando accepts commitments regarding greenwashing
The European Consumer Protection network (“CPC” or the Consumer Protection Cooperation) has succeeded in removing the misleading green claims from Zalando’s European websites.
In April 2022, the CPC launched a synchronized effort targeting Zalando for their utilization of sustainability labels on product visuals within their online stores. These labels were depicted as green banners bearing the term "sustainability", a representation deemed as an unauthorized assertion of unqualified environmental benefits. Following discussions held during the coordinated action, Zalando accepted the following commitments:
removing the initially used sustainability flag from all webpages.
removing all misleading environmental icons that were displayed next to products (such as a leaf or a tree).
no longer using the term “sustainability”, or other unjustified terms indicating an environmental and/or ethical benefit. Zalando will provide clear information about the specific product, for example, a percentage figure of how much recycled material is used.
removing the icons and the term ‘sustainability' also from the filter and allowing consumers to filter and select products based on specific product qualities.
providing clear and specific information on the product's environmental and/or ethical benefit at the product detail page.
revising the “Sustainability Page” by introducing two new webpages: one with more information on the product standards and one with information about Zalando's sustainability-related approaches and strategies.
ensuring that Zalando's environmental claims are based on aspects which are significant for the environment.
Discover further insights into the implications of these commitments and the forthcoming green claims regulation in an interview given by PIVOT to Fashion United.
