The claim “100% biodegradable” refers only to the “surfactants” in Persil Eco Power. This is not clearly reflected on the packaging.
The packaging of Persil Eco Power states in small letters "surfactants" and in larger letters "100% biodegradable”. A complaint was submitted to the Dutch Advertising Code Commission (“RCC”). According to the complainant the claim suggests that the ingredients of Persil Eco Power are 100% natural and thus biodegradable. Also, it is unclear that the claim “100% biodegradable” only refers to the surfactants in Persil Eco Power.
The RCC partially agrees with the complainant: "100% biodegradable" does not suggest that the ingredients of Persil Eco Power are 100% natural. However, from the package it is not sufficiently clear that the claim "100% biodegradable" only refers to the surfactants and not the entire product. The word "surfactants" is printed very small in relation to the text "100% biodegradable". An average consumer can easily overlook these small printed letters. The text on the package violates article 4 MRC. The fact that on the back of the package it is clearly stated that the surfactants are 100% biodegradable does not alter this.
Conclusion: clarify to what a biological claim refers to!
Eva den Ouden
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office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
The claim “100% biodegradable” refers only to the “surfactants” in Persil Eco Power. This is not clearly reflected on the packaging.
The packaging of Persil Eco Power states in small letters "surfactants" and in larger letters "100% biodegradable”. A complaint was submitted to the Dutch Advertising Code Commission (“RCC”). According to the complainant the claim suggests that the ingredients of Persil Eco Power are 100% natural and thus biodegradable. Also, it is unclear that the claim “100% biodegradable” only refers to the surfactants in Persil Eco Power.
The RCC partially agrees with the complainant: "100% biodegradable" does not suggest that the ingredients of Persil Eco Power are 100% natural. However, from the package it is not sufficiently clear that the claim "100% biodegradable" only refers to the surfactants and not the entire product. The word "surfactants" is printed very small in relation to the text "100% biodegradable". An average consumer can easily overlook these small printed letters. The text on the package violates article 4 MRC. The fact that on the back of the package it is clearly stated that the surfactants are 100% biodegradable does not alter this.
Conclusion: clarify to what a biological claim refers to!
Eva den Ouden