Caveat emptor means ‘let the buyer beware’ in Latin and applies equally to green products and services, especially as ‘going green’ becomes all the rage. But oils ain’t oils Sol, and we need to be more discerning when it comes to environmentally-friendly claims. The next time you go shopping, take more notice of all the products claiming to be ‘eco-friendly’ – the number has increased. Labels and logos with trees, the Earth or globe, lightbulbs and other green icons, as well as words such as natural, green, eco, etc are increasing in our supermarkets and other stores, and it’s important to know the difference to avoid being ripped off and mislead by un-green goods and services and false claims.

What can we do?

• Make sure all products list all ingredients in plain English and you understand them
• Is the product or service ISO or reputable third-party certified?
• Does the product meet all ecological standards or just highlight one?
• Are the ‘eco’ claims clear, concise and free from unrelated jargon and hype?
• Does the packaging offer contact details to ask further questions?
• If you do contact a product’s producer or distributor, can they satisfactorily answer all your questions?
• The ACCC (Australian Competition and  Consumer Commission) prosecutes individuals and businesses who try to mislead or cheat consumers about the environmental status of products. False and misleading claims carry heavy fines of up to $1.1 million
• You can access the ACCC’s Green Marketing and the Trade Practices Act guide online at www.accc.gov.au to learn more about green products and services in Australia