Greenwashing news and archive

No further action in Copenhagen Fashion Week greenwashing case

In February 2025, greenwashing specialist Tanja Gotthardsen and the Danish consumer organisation Tænk filed a complaint with the Danish Consumer Ombudsman against Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW). and seven participating Danish fashion companies: Baum und Pferdgarten; Berner Kühl; Forza Collective; Herskind; OpéraSport; Stine Goya; and Won...

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Greenwashing: Shein responds to million euro fine in Italy

Following a one million euro fine from the Italian Competition Authority, the Asian fast-fashion e-tailer Shein has shown remorse. In response to an enquiry, Shein stated that it had "immediately taken all necessary measures to address the criticisms raised". The Italian authority accused Infinite Styles Services Co Ltd, responsible for Shein in...

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Fashion

Worse than greenwashing? Lack of or poorly communicated sustainability

At the recently concluded Milano Unica trade fair, 735 exhibitors showcased their new products for autumn/winter 2026/27. What about companies’ progress in terms of sustainability? “Yarn manufacturers have invested heavily in sustainability and made great progress,” Giusy Bettoni, founder and CEO of Class, told FashionUnited. Class, an acronym...

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Green Claims Directive: European Commission clarifies withdrawal of proposed law

The Green Claims Directive, also known as the anti-greenwashing law, may not be withdrawn after all. A commission spokesperson clarified that the withdrawal will only happen if a specific recent amendment is maintained. Spokesperson Paula Pinho noted that the amendment in question would bring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under the...

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EU Commission plans to withdraw greenwashing law

The EU Commission planned to halt a legislative proposal on minimum standards against misleading environmental advertising claims. A spokesperson for the authority in Brussels said the Commission intended to withdraw the proposal. The Commission later provided written reasons: "The current discussions surrounding the proposal run counter to the...

Podcast

Podcast: Elizabeth Cline and Marizia Lanfranchi on increasing data literacy to make sustainable decisions

In this episode, Crash Course Fashion has interviewed co authors of Cotton: A Case Study On Misinformation, Elizabeth Cline and Marizia Lanfranchi on how to increase data literacy to make informed decisions on sustainability and avoid greenwashing. Also discussed was why misinformation matters and how critical data consumers can help create...

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Podcast

Podcast: Gordon Renouf on the importance of greater transparency

In this episode, Crash Course Fashion interviewed Good on You co-founder, Gordon Renouf, about what it means to be truly transparent and where the industry should focus its sustainable efforts. Also discussed was how brands can avoid greenwashing, and participate in the sustainability conversation. Listen to the podcast below. Source: Crash...

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Podcast

Podcast: Crash Course Fashion talks to Julia Gall about greenwashing

In this episode, Crash Course Fashion has discussed the problem of greenwashing with Marie Claire style director Julia Gall, who also gave a small crash course on pitching the media and getting press. Gall touched upon how the media can both perpetuate and fight back against greenwashing, and how she balances the need for publishing with her own...

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Fashion

42 percent of companies exaggerate sustainability claims, says new report

The European Commission (EC) is cracking down on greenwashing and companies who wildly “exaggerate” their sustainability credentials. In a report released last week, the EC says a sweep of websites analysed green online claims from various business sectors such as garments and fashion, cosmetics and household equipment. National consumer...

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Fashion

Just one-fifth of shoppers trust brands’ sustainability claims

While over half of UK consumers (53 percent) believe brands have the power to change the garment industry for the better, just one-fifth trust the sustainability claims made by brands, new research suggests. A massive 83 percent of consumers would be more likely to trust the sustainability credentials of a product if it had been verified by a...

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Fashion |OPINION

Sustainable fashion: green in the gray area

Sustainability is en vogue in the fashion industry, but it often raises more questions than it answers. What we need is a change in the system. For years, the number of fashion companies that manufacture their products sustainably has been increasing, as have the sales of fast fashion suppliers and the amount of textiles purchased - a...

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Fashion

(Re)defining sustainability: Closing the loop & Slow Fashion

London - Once seen as a niche part of the fashion industry, being eco-conscious has rapidly become one of the hottest 'topics' of our time. From luxury fashion houses to fast-fashion retailers, and everything in between - more and more fashion companies are responding to mounting consumer interest and 'going green.' However, in spite of all the...