ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Judge Upholds State’s Green Labeling Rules: A federal judge in San Francisco upheld nearly all of California’s restrictions on so-called green-marketing claims used by manufacturers to advertise products’ environmental benefits. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled that a 1990 state law limiting the use of such terms as “recycled,” “ozone friendly” and “biodegradable” does not violate the free speech of advertisers. However, she struck down the definition of “recyclable,” saying that the standard of “conveniently recyclable” is too vague. A group of 10 industry and advertising trade associations had filed suit, alleging that the law violated First Amendment rights and was too vague.
