---
title: "Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024"
date: 2024-12-26
author: "Rahul Sundaram"
url: https://www.indialaw.in/blog/environment/preventing-greenwashing-guidelines-regulations-2024/
---

# Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024

Posted On - 26 December, 2024 •

By - [Rahul Sundaram](https://www.indialaw.in/people/rahul-sundaram/ "Posts by Rahul Sundaram")

[![Illustration depicting greenwashing prevention and regulation of misleading environmental claims](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/Guidelines-for-Prevention-and-Regulation-of-Greenwashing.png)](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/Guidelines-for-Prevention-and-Regulation-of-Greenwashing.png)

The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024 issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) in furtherance to the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022 aim to protect consumers and promote truthful, transparent, and verifiable environmental claims by businesses. Greenwashing—where companies exaggerate or falsely claim environmental benefits of their products or services—misleads consumers and undermines genuine efforts toward sustainability. These guidelines provide a clear regulatory framework to address this issue.

## **Definition of “Environmental Claim”**

Under the guidelines, an **“environmental claim”** refers to:

- Any **representation**, **statement**, **symbol**, **label**, or **advertisement** that explicitly or implicitly suggests that a product, service, or business operation has environmental benefits, causes less harm to the environment, or meets specific sustainability standards.
- This includes claims related to attributes such as:
  - **Eco-friendliness** (e.g., “environmentally safe,” “green product”).
  - **Sustainability** (e.g., “sustainably sourced,” “carbon-neutral”).
  - **Resource Efficiency** (e.g., “energy-efficient,” “water-saving”).
  - **Biodegradability** or **Recyclability** (e.g., “biodegradable,” “recyclable packaging”).
  - **Reduced Emissions** or **Carbon Footprint** (e.g., “low-carbon product,” “zero emissions”).
  - Use of renewable resources (e.g., “made with renewable energy” or “from recycled materials”).
- These claims can be made on product packaging, advertisements, corporate reports, or any form of public communication.

The guidelines emphasize that all such claims must:

1. Be **clear, specific, and unambiguous**.
2. Be **verifiable** with reliable, scientific, or technical evidence.
3. Avoid the use of vague or unqualified terms unless their meaning is well-defined and supported.

## **Objectives of the Guidelines**

The guidelines aim to achieve the following:

1. **Ensure Accurate Environmental Claims in advertisements**:
  - Prevent businesses from making false, exaggerated, or unverifiable claims about the environmental benefits of their products, services, or operations.
  - Promote honest communication of environmental credentials to consumers.
2. **Protect Consumer Rights**:
  - Safeguard consumers from deceptive marketing practices that lead them to believe they are purchasing environmentally friendly products or services when they are not.
  - Empower consumers to make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information.
3. **Encourage Sustainability and Accountability**:
  - Motivate businesses to adopt genuinely sustainable practices rather than relying on misleading marketing.
  - Hold companies accountable for the accuracy of their environmental claims through monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
4. **Prevent Unfair Trade Practices**:
  - Eliminate competitive advantages gained through false or misleading environmental advertising.
  - Ensure a level playing field for businesses genuinely committed to sustainability.
5. **Promote Transparency and Verifiability**:
  - Require that all environmental claims are backed by evidence and verifiable through independent assessments or certifications.
  - Encourage businesses to disclose the basis for their claims clearly and transparently.

## **Key Focus Areas of the Guidelines**

- Regulating the use of terms like “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” “green,” and “biodegradable” to ensure they meet defined criteria.
- Mandating evidence-based certifications for environmental claims.
- Penalizing misleading advertisements and imposing sanctions on violators.
- Encouraging consumer awareness campaigns about greenwashing.

The **Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024** outline specific penal provisions as defined under The [Consumer Protection Act](https://www.indialaw.in/blog/arbitration-and-conciliation/advocate-services-liability-under-consumer-protection-act-supreme-court/) to ensure compliance and deter businesses from making misleading environmental claims.

## **Conclusion**

The **Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024**, are a significant step toward fostering environmental accountability. By defining “environmental claim” and emphasizing verifiability, the guidelines ensure businesses provide clear and reliable information. This protects consumer rights, curbs deceptive practices, and aligns India with global standards for environmental transparency. These measures are essential for promoting genuine sustainability and empowering consumers to contribute to a greener economy.

For further details write to [contact@indialaw.in](mailto:contact@indialaw.in)

[Download PDF](https://www.indialaw.in/blog/environment/preventing-greenwashing-guidelines-regulations-2024//pdf/)

---

# IndiaLaw LLP — Offices & Contact Details

---

## General Contact

| | |
|---|---|
| **Website** | https://www.indialaw.in |
| **Primary email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Primary phone** | +91 836-9995919 |
| **Contact form** | https://www.indialaw.in/connect/ |
| **Careers (separate channel)** | https://www.indialaw.in/careers/ |


---

## All Offices (9 locations across 8 cities)

### 1. Mumbai — Registered Office & Head Office (Apeejay Chambers)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Apeejay Chambers, Ground Floor, Wallace Street, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-6924-7400](tel:02269247400) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate · IP |
| **Notes** | The HQ. 5 partners based here. Handles PAN-India litigation, arbitration, corporate, banking, IP and real estate practice. Largest team across all offices. |

### 2. Mumbai — Non-Litigation Office (Excelsior, Fort)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 4th Floor, New Excelsior Theatre Pvt. Ltd., Amrit Keshav Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-697-40500](tel:022-697-40500) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Non-litigation only — consultations, negotiations, transactional work |
| **Notes** | Opened 2024. Litigation and arbitration remain at the Apeejay Chambers head office. |

### 3. Delhi

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Flat No. 1107 & 1108, Prakashdeep Building, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/delhi/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | 3 partners based here. Located near the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court and other appellate bodies. |

### 4. Kolkata

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Centre Point Building, Room No. 214, 2nd Floor, Premises No. 21, Hemanta Basu Sarani, Opp. Great Eastern Hotel, P.S. Hare Street, Kolkata – 700 001, West Bengal |
| **Phone** | [+91 33 4813 1001](tel:+913348131001) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/kolkata/ |
| **Practice focus** | Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Commercial & Civil Litigation · Arbitration · Banking Litigation · Real Estate · Labour & Employment · Consumer |
| **Notes** | Advises banks, NBFCs, MSMEs and corporates on transactions and dispute resolution. Works in close coordination with the Mumbai HO. |

### 5. Chennai

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | GF-A, 19 Casa Major Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/chennai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Full-fledged office with experienced legal team. Supported by Mumbai HO. |

### 6. Bengaluru (Bangalore)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | INDIALAW LLP, No. 7 Chinnaswamy Mudaliar Road, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore – 560 051 |
| **Phone** | [080-4167-2444](tel:08041672444) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/bengaluru/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate · Family Laws · Labour |
| **Notes** | Located near Bangalore High Court. Handles corporate, commercial, banking and matrimonial disputes. |

### 7. Hyderabad

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 403, 4th Floor, Sanatana Ecstasy Building, beside Tanishq Show Room, Himayathnagar, Hyderabad – 500 029, Telangana |
| **Phone** | [040-6666-5166](tel:04066665166) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/hyderabad/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Banking · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Particularly well known for complex banking matters and real estate transactions. |

### 8. Cochin (Kochi)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Second Floor, Pulikkal Building, K.K. Padmanabhan Road, Ernakulam North – 682 018, Kerala |
| **Phone** | [0484-3583961](tel:04843583961) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/cochin/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Commercial disputes, property litigation, financial-claim arbitrations and real estate transactions. |

### 9. Noida (NCR)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | No. 16 & 17, Silver Offices, 17th Floor, Wave One, Sector 18, Noida – 201 301 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/noida/ |
| **Practice focus** | Aviation · Insurance · Mergers & Acquisitions · Corporate |
| **Office head** | **Mr. Dinesh Gupta** (joined August 2025 to lead and expand the corporate practice) |
| **Notes** | Newest office. Sector-focused on highly regulated industries serving NCR-based clients. |

---

## Quick-Dial Phone List

| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Mumbai HO (Apeejay) | 022-6924-7400 |
| Mumbai Excelsior | 022-697-40500 |
| Kolkata | +91 33 4813 1001 |
| Bengaluru | 080-4167-2444 |
| Hyderabad | 040-6666-5166 |
| Cochin | 0484-3583961 |
| **General / Marketing line** | **+91 836-9995919** |

Delhi, Chennai and Noida route through the general number.

---

## Social Channels

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indialaw
- X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/Indialawmumbai
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indialawllp/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indialawllp

---