Greenwashing rules to be scaled back, but scope of change remains unclear

TORONTO – Canada’s greenwashing rules are being scaled back, but it remains to be seen what the changes mean for businesses wanting to talk about their environmental record.

The federal budget released last week said the government plans to remove parts of the greenwashing laws, which were passed in June last year.

Specifically, the government says it plans to end the rule that business claims have to be backed up by “internationally recognized methodology,” as well as removing the option for third parties like environmental groups to be able to challenge claims.

In an analysis of the proposed changes, law firm Gowling WLG says it doesn’t seem the government plans to remove the rules requiring that a product’s “green” benefits be backed up by adequate testing, but does seem to lower the