ACM: Thuiswinkel’s sustainability initiative fits with competition rules

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has no objections against the launch of a new sector-wide sustainability standard of Thuiswinkel.org, the Dutch trade association for the e-commerce sector (Thuiswinkel). Thuiswinkel’s initiative offers online stores the opportunity to become more sustainable in a way that consumers are able to recognize, without creating any anticompetitive effects. This initiative shows that competition rules do not stand in the way of sustainability agreements.

New sustainability standard for e-commerce

Thuiswinkel is the Dutch trade association for the e-commerce sector. Thuiswinkel introduces a sustainability standard. This is the first sector-wide non-profit standard for businesses that wish to reduce their impact on the environment in six areas: strategy, product selection, packaging, delivery, returns, and circularity. In the future, Thuiswinkel plans to add social impact to the standard as well.

ACM’s informal assessment

ACM finds it important that members of Thuiswinkel can voluntarily choose whether or not to participate in the sustainability standard. An independent organization determines whether or not an online store meets the requirements and becomes certified. In addition, online stores that participate can determine their own vision, objectives, and sustainability choices within the boundaries of the certification requirements. Participants are free to take additional sustainability measures if they wish to do so. Moreover, the standard offers room for new sustainable innovations, for example, think of new packaging options. Also, Thuiswinkel guarantees that commercially sensitive information is not exchanged. As such, this initiative acts as an example of how businesses can work together in order to realize sustainability objectives within the competition rules.

Finally, one element of the certification requirements is that participants communicate about their sustainability efforts in accordance with ACM’s Guidelines regarding Sustainability claims. That will help consumers receive clear, complete, and concrete information about the sustainability benefits of products and services.

ACM and sustainability

Sustainable products and consumption are essential for a sustainable society. Oversight over sustainability claims of companies helps realize that. Consumers must be able to make sustainable choices with confidence, and businesses that undertake sustainability efforts must be protected against businesses that compete unfairly by using misleading claims. In addition, ACM wishes to create the right conditions to support the transition to a more sustainable economy. ACM removes obstacles, and creates opportunities where possible. For example, ACM answers questions about under what circumstances competitors are allowed to collaborate in order to realize their sustainability objectives. When in doubt, businesses may contact ACM and ask questions about their sustainability agreements. They can do so by sending an email to info [at] acm [punt] nl.