On 29 March 2023, the Senate referred an inquiry into greenwashing for inquiry and report by 5 December 2023, with the following terms of references:
An inquiry into greenwashing, with particular reference to:
- the environmental and sustainability claims made by companies in industries including energy, vehicles, household products and appliances, food and drink packaging, cosmetics, clothing and footwear;
- the impact of misleading environmental and sustainability claims on consumers;
- domestic and international examples of regulating companies' environmental and sustainability claims;
- advertising standards in relation to environmental and sustainability claims;
- legislative options to protect consumers from green washing in Australia; and
- any other related matters
The closing date for submissions is 8 June 2023.
The close of submission date was extended to 22 June 2023. Submission are now closed.
On 7 August 2023, the committee was granted an extension of time for the report until 28 June 2024.
On 24 June 2024, the committee was granted an extension of time for the report until 20 November 2024.
On 18 November 2024, the committee was granted an extension of time for the report until 12 February 2025.
On 10 February 2025, the committee was granted an extension of time for the report until 28 March 2025.
On 25 March 2025, the committee was granted an extension of time for the report until 5 August 2025.
About this inquiry:
An inquiry into greenwashing, particularly claims made by companies, the impact of these claims on consumers, regulatory examples, advertising standards, and legislative options to protect consumers.