Canada is implementing new regulations to ensure companies are truthful about their environmental claims, addressing the growing issue of “greenwashing” in marketing. These rules, introduced through an update to the Competition Act in June 2024, require businesses to back up environmental statements with verifiable evidence, following internationally accepted methods. The Canadian Competition Bureau released draft guidelines on December 23, 2024, and is seeking feedback from affected companies by February 28, 2025. 

This move aligns with increasing global efforts to regulate green marketing, as businesses face rising consumer demand for sustainable products. With stricter oversight, Canadian companies will need to provide specific, well-tested claims supported by action plans to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Companies making claims about carbon neutrality, nature protection, or combating climate change must ensure their marketing materials are fully substantiated to avoid penalties. 

For American companies operating in Canada, these new regulations present both responsibilities and potential risks. U.S. businesses must adjust their marketing strategies to comply with Canadian standards or face financial penalties. This change also comes as other regions, such as the EU, are developing similar greenwashing legislation, creating a global push for transparency in ESG claims. 

For consumers, these rules mean greater transparency about the true environmental impact of the products they purchase, making it easier to support genuinely sustainable businesses. Companies will need clear evidence to justify their claims, helping customers make more informed decisions. 

As environmental reporting standards tighten, U.S. companies must prepare for compliance in both Canada and their home states, such as California, which has introduced its own new reporting requirements. This period of heightened regulatory scrutiny calls for businesses to review their marketing claims and ensure they align with these new environmental standards to avoid penalties. 

资料来源 

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/canada-environmental-marketing-rules/ 

https://www.fillmoreriley.com/publication/canada-s-new-greenwashing-lawscorporate-environmental-claims-under-review 

https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/environmental-claims-and-greenwashing 

https://www.blakes.com/insights/canada-s-new-greenwashing-laws-enacted/