Bill > S00841

This bill amends the New York General Business Law to prohibit deceptive environmental marketing practices by establishing clear guidelines for environmental claims. The bill defines several key terms, including "environmental marketing claim" (any representation about a product's environmental attributes), "net zero claim" (a statement about balancing greenhouse gas emissions), "paltering" (using technically true statements to create a misleading impression), and "reputational advertising" (representations designed to create a positive perception of an industry or brand). The legislation declares it unlawful to make untruthful or misleading environmental marketing claims, specifically targeting practices that: (1) mislead consumers about an industry or product's overall environmental impact through paltering or reputation-based advertising, and (2) make net zero claims that are incomplete or lack substantiation, such as claims that do not clearly identify the full emissions portfolio, fail to distinguish between actual emission reductions and offsets, or lack a concrete implementation plan. Importantly, the bill allows legal action against such practices without requiring proof of specific economic harm to the plaintiff, which makes it easier to enforce environmental marketing standards and combat greenwashing.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S841