Two of Australia’s most popular sunscreen brands, Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat, are under legal fire for allegedly misleading consumers with “reef-friendly” marketing claims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched federal court proceedings against their parent company, Edgewell Personal Care, accusing it of greenwashing.
According to the ACCC, the sunscreens contained ingredients known to harm coral and marine life, directly contradicting the environmentally conscious branding. In some cases, packaging featured images of coral to reinforce the eco-friendly message. “We allege that Edgewell engaged in greenwashing by making claims that it had no reasonable or scientific basis to make,” said ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe, according to The Guardian.
The case follows a broader investigation by consumer watchdog Choice, which previously revealed that many sunscreens fail to provide the advertised levels of UV protection. Edgewell, however, has denied wrongdoing and is contesting the ACCC’s allegations in court.
Greenwashing refers to the use of marketing tactics to falsely convey environmental responsibility. In this case, the products may not just harm coral reefs—they may also mislead well-intentioned consumers. Want to avoid falling for eco-marketing traps? Click through to learn how greenwashing works and how to spot it.