In that case, percentages or ranges of percentages of the amount of organic cotton must be given, for example: T-shirts made from 60% organic cotton.Įarlier this year, ACM published five rules of thumb for honest sustainability claims. Information found elsewhere on the website reveals that the T-shirt contains less than 95% organic cotton. On a T-shirt’s tag, it says ‘organic cotton’.It is thus unclear what the sustainability benefit is of these products in comparison with other products.
The products that are part of this collection are all given a specific name, but it is unclear what criteria are used in that context.
We now take action against such practices, which may also include imposing fines on companies.” We see that many clothing companies like to present themselves as sustainable companies, but that they often exaggerate their claims, and that these claims are often not substantiated. In addition, we wish to protect the companies that do follow the rules against their competitors that employ misleading practices. The motion was supported by the opposition, Greens MP Adam Bandt and independent MPs Craig Kelly, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Zali Steggall and Rebekha Sharkie.Edwin van Houten, director of ACM’s consumer department, explains: “We carried out this investigation because consumers that want to buy sustainable products are entitled to correct, clear, and verifiable information. the majority of (members) want an integrity commission." "The nation can take some comfort in knowing that despite what the prime minister is doing. Independent MP Helen Haines, who introduced the bill, said the absolute majority was a technicality which stopped the debate because not all House of Representatives members were present in Canberra due to restrictions.įollowing the vote Dr Haines told reporters there were other government backbenchers who had talked about supporting an integrity commission. The government had the fewest votes when it came to two separate motions on whether to allow a debate to take place.īut as an absolute majority of 76 votes was required in the 151-member chamber, debate did not continue. Ms Archer was called the "lioness of the 46th parliament" and a "hero" by independent MPs after she crossed the floor in an attempt to bring on a debate about introducing a corruption watchdog. The prime minister's comments came after Ms Archer supported a motion calling for an urgent debate on an integrity commission bill in the House of Representatives. However, the CIC legislation has yet to go to the coalition party room or parliament despite an election promise to establish an integrity commission this term.