Latest news with #reefFriendly
The Australian
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Australian
ACCC targets Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic over greenwashing claims
Popular sunscreen brands allegedly took advantage of and deprived consumers of the chance to make informed decisions, with Australia's consumer watchdog launching court action over greenwashing claims. The parent companies of popular sunscreen brands Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat have been targeted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false or misleading claims that more than 90 sunscreen products were 'reef friendly'. The watchdog submitted that Edgewell Personal Care Australia breached consumer law by making the claims on websites, in social media, catalogues and other publications and including a 'reef friendly' logo. The claims were allegedly based on guidance, advice and direction from the US-based parent company Edgewell Personal Care Company (PCC). The parent companies of popular sunscreen brands Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat claimed more than 90 sunscreen products were 'reef friendly'. Picture: ACCC Some of the products contained this marketing. Picture: ACCC Edgewell bolstered its 'reef friendly' assertions by claiming the sunscreens didn't contain the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate – banned in some jurisdictions, including Hawaii – that could cause damage to reefs. However, the ACCC argued the products included other ingredients that could harm, or risked causing harm, to reefs, including to coral and marine life. These included octocrylene, homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. Further, the ACCC claimed Edgewell PCC and/or Edgewell Australia knew of studies, reports and literature that indicated some of the ingredients could affect reefs or that there was a risk of harm, but the companies didn't commission any testing to determine the impact. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the alleged conduct constituted greenwashing, which deprived consumers of the chance to make informed decisions. 'We allege that Edgewell engaged in greenwashing by making claims about the environmental benefits of Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat sunscreens that it had no reasonable or scientific basis to make,' Ms Lowe said. Banana Boat sunscreen products are involved in the ACCC's case. Picture: Supplied. 'Many consumers consider environmental factors when purchasing products. By engaging in this alleged greenwashing, we say Edgewell deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed decision and may have prevented them from purchasing a different brand of sunscreen that did not contain chemicals which risked causing harm to reefs.' Ms Lowe said businesses needed to be able to substantiate claims of environmental credentials, including by reliable scientific reports or reputable third-party certification. The 'reef friendly' branding was removed from Edgewell's US sunscreen products in about 2000; however, the watchdog alleged the claim continued to be made in Australia until about the end of 2024. Federal Court action was launched against the companies on June 30, with the ACCC arguing Edgewell didn't have any reasonable basis to make the 'reef friendly' claims and that there wasn't any appropriate scientific evidence or testing at the time the representations were made. The 'reef friendly' claim was made on the Hawaiian Tropic product packaging, the Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat websites, social media and advertisements in third-party publications, the statement of claim alleged. The conduct 'took advantage of consumers' concerns' about environmental impact and deprived them of the chance to make informed purchasing decisions, lawyers on behalf of the ACCC claimed. Clareese Packer Reporter Clareese is a Court Reporter at NewsWire. She previously covered breaking news for the outlet after completing the 2023 NewsCorp cadet program, where she worked at The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, the National News Network and NewsWire. Clareese Packer
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major sunscreen brands to defend greenwashing claim
The makers of two popular sunscreen brands will defend allegations they misled environmentally conscious shoppers by labelling products as "reef friendly". More than 90 Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens allegedly contained false and potentially misleading representations between 2020 and 2024, the consumer watchdog claimed on Tuesday. The brands' owner Edgewell labelled the sunscreens as "reef friendly", claiming they did not contain two ingredients known to cause damage to reefs. But the sunscreens included other ingredients that cause harm to marine life, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says. The claims are detailed in a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court on Monday evening against the US personal care company and its Australian arm. Court documents allege Edgewell "took advantage of consumers' concerns about the environmental impact of ... products on reefs". The company also knew of scientific studies and reports that found these ingredients can negatively affect reefs. The personal care company's claims had "no reasonable or scientific basis" and affected both its competitors and consumers, the watchdog said on Tuesday. "Businesses should not shy away from promoting the environmental credentials of their products, but they must be able to substantiate any claims," deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. "By engaging in this alleged greenwashing, we say Edgewell deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed decision and may have prevented them from purchasing a different brand of sunscreen that did not contain chemicals which risked causing harm to reefs." Edgewell removed "reef-friendly" tags off its US products in 2020 but allegedly continued the branding in Australia until December 2024. The ACCC is seeking penalties, costs and other court orders. A spokesperson for the company's Australian arm said it would defend the lawsuit. "Edgewell has fully co-operated with the ACCC throughout its investigation and firmly stands by the claims it has made," the spokesperson told AAP. The lawsuit comes after testing of popular sunscreens by consumer advocacy group Choice found some major sunscreen brands failed to meet their SPF labels. Several brands disputed the consumer group's claims.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Australia's top sunscreen brands are sensationally accused of another MAJOR fail
The makers of two popular sunscreen brands allegedly misled environmentally conscious shoppers by labelling products as 'reef friendly'. Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens contained allegedly widespread false and potentially misleading representations on more than 90 products between 2020 and 2024, the consumer watchdog claimed on Tuesday. The brands' owner Edgewell labelled the sunscreens as 'reef friendly' claiming they did not contain two ingredients known to cause damage to reefs. But the sunscreens included other ingredients that cause harm to marine life, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says. The claims are detailed in a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court on Monday evening against the US personal care company and its Australian arm. Court documents allege Edgewell 'took advantage of consumers' concerns about the environmental impact of 'products on reefs'. But the company also knew of scientific studies and reports that found these ingredients can negatively affect reefs. The personal care company's claims had 'no reasonable or scientific basis' and affected both its competitors and consumers, the watchdog said on Tuesday. Explosive TGA development after 16 of Australia's most trusted sunscreens failed SPF test in bombshell CHOICE report The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will investigate CHOICE's bombshell report that revealed 16 out of 20 popular sunscreens failed to meet Australia's strict SPF 50+ regulations. The consumer watchdog tested 20 of the country's most trusted sunscreen products to see if they provided the Sun Protection Factor 50 levels they claim on their labels. In a worrying finding, 16 of the 20 sunscreens failed to provide that level of protection - including big brands such as Cancer Council, Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Coles and Woolworths. But the most alarming results came from one of the most expensive sunscreens tested - Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen, which retails for $52. 'Businesses should not shy away from promoting the environmental credentials of their products, but they must be able to substantiate any claims,' deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. 'By engaging in this alleged greenwashing, we say Edgewell deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed decision and may have prevented them from purchasing a different brand of sunscreen that did not contain chemicals which risked causing harm to reefs.' Edgewell removed 'reef-friendly' tags off its US products in 2020 but allegedly continued the branding in Australia until December 2024. The ACCC is seeking penalties, costs and other court orders. Edgewell has been contacted for comment. The lawsuit comes after testing of popular sunscreens by consumer advocacy group CHOICE found some major sunscreen brands failed to meet their SPF labels. Several brands disputed the consumer group's claims.
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Popular sunscreen brands Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic targeted by consumer watchdog over greenwashing claims
Popular sunscreen brands allegedly took advantage of and deprived consumers of the chance to make informed decisions, with Australia's consumer watchdog launching court action over greenwashing claims. The parent companies of popular sunscreen brands Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat have been targeted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false or misleading claims that more than 90 sunscreen products were 'reef friendly'. The watchdog submitted that Edgewell Personal Care Australia breached consumer law by making the claims on websites, in social media, catalogues and other publications and including a 'reef friendly' logo. The claims were allegedly based on guidance, advice and direction from the US-based parent company Edgewell Personal Care Company (PCC). Edgewell bolstered its 'reef friendly' assertions by claiming the sunscreens didn't contain the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate – banned in some jurisdictions, including Hawaii – that could cause damage to reefs. However, the ACCC argued the products included other ingredients that could harm, or risked causing harm, to reefs, including to coral and marine life. These included octocrylene, homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. Further, the ACCC claimed Edgewell PCC and/or Edgewell Australia knew of studies, reports and literature that indicated some of the ingredients could affect reefs or that there was a risk of harm, but the companies didn't commission any testing to determine the impact. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the alleged conduct constituted greenwashing, which deprived consumers of the chance to make informed decisions. 'We allege that Edgewell engaged in greenwashing by making claims about the environmental benefits of Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat sunscreens that it had no reasonable or scientific basis to make,' Ms Lowe said. 'Many consumers consider environmental factors when purchasing products. By engaging in this alleged greenwashing, we say Edgewell deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed decision and may have prevented them from purchasing a different brand of sunscreen that did not contain chemicals which risked causing harm to reefs.' Ms Lowe said businesses needed to be able to substantiate claims of environmental credentials, including by reliable scientific reports or reputable third-party certification. The 'reef friendly' branding was removed from Edgewell's US sunscreen products in about 2000; however, the watchdog alleged the claim continued to be made in Australia until about the end of 2024. Federal Court action was launched against the companies on June 30, with the ACCC arguing Edgewell didn't have any reasonable basis to make the 'reef friendly' claims and that there wasn't any appropriate scientific evidence or testing at the time the representations were made. The 'reef friendly' claim was made on the Hawaiian Tropic product packaging, the Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat websites, social media and advertisements in third-party publications, the statement of claim alleged. The conduct 'took advantage of consumers' concerns' about environmental impact and deprived them of the chance to make informed purchasing decisions, lawyers on behalf of the ACCC claimed.
