Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Hungarian Consumers Also Targeted by Greenwashing

In the United Kingdom, by 2024, four out of ten large enterprises could face severe financial penalties for greenwashing, following the significant tightening of consumer protection laws by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Union.
The phenomenon known as greenwashing, or portraying a company or its products as more environmentally friendly than they are, aims to attract environmentally conscious consumers who may be misled by claims of products being "green" or produced in an eco-friendly way.

Greenwashing in the EU and Hungary

A comprehensive framework of European Union and Hungarian regulations encompasses claims and indications of environmental friendliness. To avoid misleading consumers and facing regulatory sanctions, businesses promoting their products or services with environmental claims must be familiar with industry-specific requirements in addition to consumer protection rules, according to Andrea Magdolna Nagy, a lawyer at Vámosi-Nagy Ernst & Young Law Firm.

Experts, in response to inquiries from the financial daily Világgazdaság, highlighted that the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) pays special attention to greenwashing. According to a study published in January, related to a market analysis on environmental claims, out of a representative sample of 7,000 advertisements, slightly over three percent contained sustainability messages, while an additional five percent implicitly suggested sustainability. This is noteworthy given the increasing environmental consciousness among consumers.

In terms of product categories, household items were most frequently advertised as being "green." However, only 23 percent of all product advertisements were supported by certificates, research, or qualifications. Nagy emphasized that not all industries frequently experience greenwashing, but it undeniably occurs, leaving many consumers confused about the true content of green claims.

The Reality Behind Greenwashing

Greenwashing refers to unsubstantiated environmental claims by businesses that use marketing strategies to appear environmentally responsible without genuine action or results in their operations or product attributes.

The Challenge of Identifying Greenwashing

Nagy pointed out the difficulty in accessing credible information, especially with the proliferation of symbols and labels used by manufacturers and sellers to suggest positive environmental impacts of their products. A 2021 Euromonitor survey revealed that less than half of the consumers found green labels such as "fair trade," "GMO-free," "free-range," etc., to be trustworthy, indicating a lack of confidence in green labels in developed markets.

To prevent disappointments, consumers are advised to educate themselves about independent organizations' logos and certificates, such as the EU Ecolabel, which considers the entire lifecycle of products. They should be skeptical of vaguely defined "green" claims, like "environmentally friendly," "eco-sparing," or "sustainable," especially when the specific positive environmental impacts, like water or energy savings, are unclear.

Marketing Strategies and Legal Remedies

In Hungary, both the Hungarian Competition Authority and consumer protection authorities within the county government offices have the authority to inspect companies' green communications. These inspections can reveal whether claims are merely marketing tactics. Nagy Andrea Magdolna shared that complaints can be filed with these authorities if consumers feel misled.

According to a market research by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the environmental impact of a product influences the product preferences of most consumers in European Union member states, with 61 percent of consumers considering environmental information, at least to some extent, when making purchases.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy in Light of Transatlantic Strains
OpenAI Secures Unprecedented $40 Billion Funding
Apple's Innovation Divide: Falling Behind in AI and Foldable Technology Amidst Progress from China
Passenger Taken into Custody for Masturbating on SWISS Air Flight
PUTIN’S LIMOUSINE DETONATES—SECURITY CHAOS ENSUES
OpenAI Unveils New Image Generation Tool for ChatGPT
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Accusations
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Pope Francis Makes His First Public Appearance in Five Weeks After Being Hospitalized
Pope Francis Released from Hospital Following Pneumonia Treatment
European Countries Boost Defense Budgets Due to Changes in U.S. Support
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital Following Recovery from Pneumonia
Thousands Rally in Amsterdam to Oppose Racism and Fascism
Revealing the Electromagnetic Characteristics of the Great Pyramid of Giza
The Development of China's Automobile Sector
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Hold Constructive Discussion Amid Ongoing Conflict
EU Charges US Tech Giants with Violating Digital Regulations
Serbia's authoritarian government uses illegal sonic weapons against peaceful demonstrators.
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government
Trump Administration's Deportation of Alleged Gang Members Sparks Legal Dispute
Massive Protests Erupt in Serbia Against President Vučić Amid Corruption Allegations
Large Demonstrations Break Out in Serbia After Fatal Railway Station Collapse
Serbian Government Denies Use of 'Sonic Weapon' Amidst Massive Protests
Serbia Witnesses Unprecedented Protests Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse
China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Promising a Lifespan of 5,730 Years
Inquiry: Social Media Platforms Permitted Advertisements Featuring Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Material in Germany
Thus, following countless Ukrainian fatalities, the devastation of the country, the collapse of the economy, and vast numbers of the population fleeing, NATO has "declared" that Ukraine's membership is no longer being contemplated.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Encounters Political Unrest Following Arrest Warrant for Serbian Leader
In Budapest, Hungary, there are no fake Islamic asylum seekers and it is a true paradise.
Putin Shows Interest in a 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine During Ongoing Conflict
Trump Discusses Possible Ceasefire in Ukraine as Tensions Continue
EU and Canada Unveil Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Duties
Romania Excludes Prominent Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Repetition
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
Trump Discovers It Simpler to Negotiate with Russia Compared to Ukraine During Ongoing Conflict
Macron Cautions Against Growing Russian Aggression as U.S. Support for Ukraine Changes
EU Member States Endorse Gradual Rollout of Entry/Exit System
President Trump Indicates Willingness to Reestablish Relations with Ukraine in Light of Recent Tensions
Europe Investigates the Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Aid Ukraine
Macron Calls on Europe to Bolster Defense in Light of Russian Threats and Possible U.S. Withdrawal
Germany Supports Looser EU Fiscal Policies to Boost Defense Expenditures
Pope Francis's Health Update: Vatican Reports Stable Condition
MPs from Various Parties Express Worry About Proposed Reductions to the UK Aid Budget
U.S. Creates Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Leading to Market Upsurge
Zelenskyy Convenes with UK Prime Minister Starmer in Light of Strains with the US
×