ICPEN members write open letter to the aviation sector

Seventeen members of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) have written an open letter to the aviation sector to highlight the importance of complying with consumer protection law, when making environmental claims. The letter encourages businesses to raise standards of compliance by providing common principles that apply when making environmental claims. 

National laws may vary, but this letter emphasises some common consumer protection principles, which apply to businesses across many different countries. These include:

• Making sure that claims are clear, specific and can easily be understood
• Avoiding vague and general claims
• Making sure that claims do not exaggerate the environmental qualities of services
• Making claims based on sufficient evidence
• Ensuring that any claims about carbon offsetting and/or alternative fuels (including Sustainable Aviation Fuels) are clear and accurate and comply with recognised quality standards
• Claims should not create a misleading impression about the overall environmental impact of the airline or the act of flying

This letter does not necessarily indicate that any individual ICPEN member will prioritise enforcement action on misleading environmental claims, and some member jurisdictions may have stricter or more specific rules in place. You can read the full letter here