Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into boiler company Worcester Bosch

The CMA’s investigation will assess whether Bosch’s marketing materials overstate the boilers’ environmental credentials and mislead potential purchasers.

The investigation highlights the need for companies to keep their ESG obligations front and centre in board-level decisions, policymaking and implementation at every level of the organisation. Companies must ensure that their products, product information and marketing materials do not give confusing, misleading or inaccurate information about environmental credentials and can – if pressed - withstand regulatory scrutiny.

Kate Gee, partner and greenwashing lawyer at law firm Signature Litigation commentated that The incentive to greenwash stems from increased consumer demand for sustainable products and commercial activities. At the same time, there is increasing regulatory and industry pressure to provide environmentally responsible products and services, as evidenced by developing environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) frameworks."

This has resulted in greater scrutiny and high-profile court proceedings relating to greenwashing and other ESG issues, brought by affected customers, by regulatory bodies or by activist groups.