8 Tips to acing green guideline compliance

For several months, packaging suppliers have been eagerly submitting their products’ sustainability claims to third-party reviewers for the Greener Package Product Database to ensure they meet the Guidelines to Sustainability Claims.

Pw 3811 Not Eco Friendly2

At least 90% of these submissions failed on the first go-round, say reviewers Bob Lilienfeld of The ULS Report and Packaging Knowledge Group (PKG), and Tanja Carroll of Environmental Packaging Intl. (EPI). Following is a list compiled by these reviewers of the top eight mistakes, and how to avoid them:

1 Be specific in your claims. Virtually every claim reviewed described the product in question as being “sustainable” or the “most sustainable.” This claim is problematic. First, it is too general to be accepted under FTC guidelines. Second, it does not explain why these claims should be believed. The FTC also requires that you explain what specific benefit you are claiming, compared to which competitive product(s), and the relative or absolute difference(s) between the two.

2 Provide proof from third parties (research, suppliers, etc.). Neither comparative nor sustainability claims can be made in a vacuum. Pictures, statistics, and other supporting evidence are needed.

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