Martijn van de Hel en Paul Breithaupt assisted a large sports store with the obtainment of a commitment decision of the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (“ACM”).
The reason was a general investigation by the ACM into potentially misleading sustainability claims in the clothing industry. The ACM looked into, among others, the sustainability claims on the website of the sports store regarding its (textile) products. The investigation showed that the communication of the store regarding the sustainability of its (textile) products was not always clear and detailed enough.
The sports store has committed to adjust its website to inform consumers more clearly about its sustainability claims. In addition, the sports store has offered to support a number of new non-profit initiatives and universities by making a donation. These donations contribute to a higher level of sustainability in the sports and leisure industry. The ACM accepted and declared binding the commitments, which will be in effect for two years.
Maverick Advocaten assisted the sports store with drafting the request for a commitment decision and the selection of the new non-profit initiatives that will receive a donation. It is the first time that the ACM accepts donations to charity as compensation.
For more information on the ACM’s enforcement of sustainability claims see this blog. All information on dawn raids by the ACM can be found at invalacm.nl.
