Consumer Protection Against False Ecolabel Claims: A Legal Analysis in Indonesia

The growing environmental awareness has encouraged the use of ecolabels as markers for environmentally friendly products. However, the phenomenon of greenwashing, where companies falsely claim environmental benefits, poses a challenge to consumer protection in Indonesia. Law No. 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection is expected to safeguard consumers from misleading information, including false ecolabel claims. However, weak enforcement, lack of consumer awareness, and regulatory gaps have allowed greenwashing practices to persist. Consumer education and the harmonization of ecolabel standards are crucial to addressing this issue. In addition, technologies like blockchain can be utilized to enhance product supply chain transparency. More effective law enforcement and collaboration between the government, certification bodies, and the public are needed to ensure that only truly environmentally friendly products receive ecolabels. This article analyzes the regulation of consumer protection against false ecolabel claims in Indonesia and proposes solutions to strengthen this protection.