About CCPA

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) was constituted under The Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 
• The CCPA aims to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers.
• The CCPA is empowered to conduct investigations into violation of consumer rights and institute complaints / prosecution, order recall of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
• It functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. 

Why in News?

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority has sought public comments on Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing. 
• The draft guidelines define Greenwashing as “any deceptive or misleading practice, which includes concealing, omitting, or hiding relevant information, by exaggerating, making vague, false, or unsubstantiated environmental claims and use of misleading words, symbols, or imagery, placing emphasis on positive environmental aspects while downplaying or concealing harmful attributes”.
• Guidelines will be applicable to all advertisements and Service provider, product seller, advertiser, or an advertising agency or endorser whose service is availed for the advertisement of such goods or services. 
• Guideline also provide the provision that vague terms such as ‘green’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘eco-consciousness’, ‘good for the planet’, ‘cruelty-free’, and similar assertions to be used only with adequate disclosures.
• The Guidelines prescribe various disclosure that would be required to be made by the company making green claims. 
• The guidelines also provides that aspirational or futuristic environmental claims may be made only when clear and actionable plans has been developed detailing how those objectives will be achieved.