Vendor Green Claims Policy

This Vendor Green Claims Policy (“Policy”) forms an integral part of the Terms and Conditions and Vendor Agreement of Bhuvira Rakshati (“Platform”). This Policy governs all environmental, sustainability, and eco-friendly claims made by Vendors on the Platform.

This Policy is issued in alignment with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing (2024), and the ASCI Guidelines for Environmental Claims (2024).

By listing products on the Platform, Vendors agree to comply with this Policy.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to:

• Ensure all environmental claims are truthful, accurate, and verifiable
• Prevent misleading or deceptive sustainability marketing (greenwashing)
• Protect consumer trust and platform integrity
• Ensure compliance with applicable Indian laws and regulations

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all Vendors listing products or services on the Platform and covers:

• Product titles, descriptions, images, and labels
• Packaging claims
• Marketing materials and advertisements
• Certifications and eco-labels

3. Definitions

“Green Claim” means any representation suggesting that a product, service, or business has a positive or reduced environmental impact.

“Certification” means a third-party verified standard such as GOTS, FSC, CPCB, COSMOS, etc.

“Greenwashing” includes misleading, vague, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated environmental claims.

4. Mandatory Principles for All Claims

All environmental claims must adhere to the following principles:

• Truthful: Claims must be factually correct
• Specific: Claims must clearly state what aspect is environmentally beneficial
• Verifiable: Claims must be supported by documentary evidence
• Complete: Claims must not hide material environmental impacts
• Non-Misleading: Claims must not create false impressions

5. Prohibited Claims

The following claims are strictly prohibited unless supported by strong, verifiable evidence and approved by the Platform:

• “100% eco-friendly”
• “Completely sustainable”
• “Zero impact”
• “Chemical-free”
• “Non-toxic” (without scientific validation)
• “Environmentally safe” (without full lifecycle evidence)

Use of such claims without substantiation shall result in immediate action.

6. Restricted Claims (Require Evidence)

The following claims may only be used if supported by valid documentation:

• “Organic” → Requires India Organic / GOTS certification
• “Natural” → Requires ingredient disclosure and justification
• “Biodegradable” → Requires certified biodegradability proof
• “Compostable” → Requires CPCB certification (India)
• “Recycled” → Requires GRS/RCS certification with percentage disclosure
• “Bamboo” textiles → Must clearly disclose if viscose/rayon

7. Certification Requirements

All certifications displayed on the Platform must:

• Be issued by recognized and accredited organizations
• Include valid certificate numbers
• Be current and not expired
• Be verifiable upon request

Fake, self-created, or misleading certification logos are strictly prohibited.

8. Product Transparency Requirements

Vendors must provide complete transparency including:

• Full material or ingredient disclosure
• Source of raw materials
• Manufacturing processes (where relevant)
• Packaging details
• End-of-life information (recyclability, compostability, etc.)

9. Honesty Requirement (Mandatory Disclosure)

Vendors must disclose known environmental limitations or trade-offs of their products, including:

• Water usage
• Chemical processing (if applicable)
• Limitations of compostability or recyclability

Failure to disclose material environmental limitations shall be treated as misleading conduct.

10. Platform Rights

Bhuvira Rakshati reserves the right to:

• Request additional documentation or clarification
• Modify or remove misleading claims
• Reject or suspend product listings
• Remove certifications that cannot be verified
• Conduct audits or third-party verification

11. Vendor Liability

Vendors shall be solely responsible for:

• Accuracy of all environmental claims
• Compliance with applicable laws
• Any consumer complaints or legal actions arising from misleading claims

Vendors agree to indemnify Bhuvira Rakshati against any liability arising from false or misleading claims.

12. Penalties and Enforcement

Non-compliance may result in:

• Warning notice
• Product delisting
• Vendor suspension
• Permanent account termination
• Legal action where applicable

13. Consumer Reporting Mechanism

The Platform may provide users with the ability to report misleading or false environmental claims.

All reported claims will be reviewed, and appropriate action will be taken.

14. Updates to Policy

Bhuvira Rakshati reserves the right to update this Policy at any time to reflect regulatory changes or platform standards.

Vendors are responsible for reviewing updates periodically.

15. Governing Law

This Policy shall be governed by the laws of India. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts located in New Delhi.

16. Contact

For any queries regarding this Policy, Vendors may contact:

Email: harshit@bhuvira-rakshati.com
Address: New Delhi, India