The Federal Trade Commission has proposed changes to their Green Guides. The changes include new guidance on marketers use of product certifications and seals of approval, renewable energy claims, renewable material claims, and carbon offset claims. The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final.
The proposed guides caution marketers not to make blanket, general claims that a product is “environmentally friendly” or “eco-friendly”. They also caution against using unqualified certifications or seals of approval that do not specify the basis for the certification. The guide offers advice about claims for “renewable materials” and “renewable energy”, and carbon offset claims. The draft of the updated Green Guides can be found on the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov/os/fedreg/2010/october/101006greenguidesfrn.pdf. A summary of the proposed revised Guides can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/10/101006greenguidesproposal.pdf. Comments can be submitted electronically at: https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/revisedgreenguides.
DOE Updates Software
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released updated versions of its popular EnergyPlus simulation software and OpenStudio Plug-in for Google SketchUp, which help engineers and architects design better functioning, more energy-efficient buildings. EnergyPlus models heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, and other building energy flows for commercial and residential buildings. OpenStudio Plug-in makes it possible to perform EnergyPlus simulations using Google’s user-friendly 3-D drawing interface, modeling design elements and their impact on energy use.