Anti-Greenwashing Policy

Purpose

This policy protects marketplace integrity by preventing exaggerated, misleading, or unverified sustainability claims. It ensures that buyers can trust the environmental and social information presented on Gephra Sustaina.

Scope

Applies to:

• •All vendors and their representatives
• •All product listings, packaging, digital content, marketing, and storefront messaging
• •All sustainability-related claims

What Constitutes Greenwashing

Greenwashing is when a seller:

• •exaggerates sustainability performance,
• •hides harmful practices,
• •uses vague language without proof,
• •or makes claims that cannot be backed with data or documentation.

Examples:

• •"100% eco-friendly" with no supporting evidence
• •"Carbon neutral" without clear methodology
• •"Ethical labor" without verification

Requirements for Sustainability Claims

Accuracy

All claims must be:

• •truthful,
• •specific,
• •and supportable by evidence.

Documentation

Any sustainability claim must be supported by at least one of the following:

• •official certification,
• •credible third-party audit,
• •scientific measurement,
• •or traceable supply chain documentation.

If no documentation exists, claims must be presented as intentions, not guarantees.

Approved Claim Language

Vendors must avoid vague marketing terms. Instead, claims must be:

• •measurable ("Contains 50% recycled plastic")
• •traceable ("Made in Rwanda using locally grown cotton")
• •time-bound ("Factory uses 100% renewable electricity since 2024")

Review & Verification

Gephra reserves the right to:

• •review sustainability claims before publication,
• •request evidence at any time,
• •and reject or remove unsupported claims.

Consequences of Greenwashing

If a vendor violates this policy:

• •product listings may be suspended,
• •storefront sustainability badges may be removed,
• •repeat violators may lose account access.

Intentional deception may lead to permanent removal.

Continuous Improvement

Vendors unsure about wording may request guidance from Gephra to avoid accidental greenwashing. Honest transparency is valued over perfection.