Study on Greenwashing in E-Commerce Sites

This research report presents a study conducted by the Centre of Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School, which assessed green claims on over 1,000 products across various e-commerce sites popular among Singapore residents. The study evaluated these products against eight greenwashing indicators, which include definitions such as unsubstantiated claims, misleading technical jargon, and unverified ecolabels. Key findings reveal that unsubstantiated claims were the most prevalent, found in 51% of the sampled products, particularly in categories like electronics and physical media. Misleading technical jargon was identified in 14% of products, mainly in furniture and appliances. The report also highlights that while 12% of claims were backed by verified certifications, 3% lacked third-party verification, and 2% featured irrelevant green images. The findings underscore the need for consumers to make informed choices and for stakeholders to address greenwashing practices in the market.