Rabb ‘greenwashing’ legislation passes Pa. House Judiciary Committee

Rep. Christopher M. Rabb    October 2, 2024 | 2:45 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – Legislation, H.B. 2525, introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., that would prohibit corporations from engaging in the deceitful and manipulative practice of “greenwashing” in the commonwealth passed out of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today.

This legislation would ensure that there is truth in marketing by amending the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly prohibit deceptive environmental marketing claims.

“For decades now, corporations have taken advantage of environmentally conscious consumers by intentionally marketing their products in a manner that makes them appear better for the planet than they really are. This devious and manipulative practice is known as ‘greenwashing.’ You often see it when companies use terms such as ‘net zero,’ ‘low carbon’ or ‘cleaner energy,’ even if those claims are not based in reality or are aspirational at best,” Rabb said. “As we increasingly experience the drastic effects of the climate crisis, such as more intense storms, floods, droughts and wildfires, the last thing Pennsylvania consumers need is to be lied to as they try to make informed purchasing decisions.”

Rabb, a four-term lawmaker representing four neighborhoods in northwest Philadelphia, is a founding member of the PA Climate Caucus and serves on the board of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and is a multiterm member of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee.

This legislation will now go to the House floor where it will await a vote.