Hakuhodo DY Holdings Releases "Practical Guidebook" to Support Companies' Appropriate Information Dissemination Based on the Ministry of the Environment's "Environmental Labeling Guidelines"

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Taio Nishiyama) has produced and released on its website the "Practical Guidebook for Environmental Labeling Guidelines ~Beyond Greenwashing, Towards Better Communication~," which supports companies' appropriate information dissemination based on the Ministry of the Environment's "Environmental Labeling Guidelines," revised for the first time in 13 years at the end of March 2026.

▼ "Practical Guidebook for Environmental Labeling Guidelines"

https://www.hakuhodody-holdings.co.jp/news/corporate/20260707_guidebook.pdf

In recent years, as corporate sustainability management and decarbonization initiatives attract attention, how to communicate these efforts to consumers and society has become a critical management issue. Societal interest in "greenwashing" – environmental claims that lack substance or are insufficiently substantiated – is also growing, and companies are required to provide accurate and transparent information. On the other hand, some companies, overly concerned about being perceived as greenwashing, are increasingly choosing "green hashing," refraining from communicating their environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Against this backdrop, this guidebook emphasizes "communicating correctly" rather than "not over-communicating," proposing a communication approach that promotes healthy dialogue between companies and consumers.

It clearly explains the key points of the recently revised Environmental Labeling Guidelines and summarizes the thinking and considerations necessary for companies when disseminating information. It can be widely utilized not only for corporate sustainability but also by those involved in advertising, public relations, and marketing communications.

Structure of this Guidebook

1. Background and Challenges

2. Overview of the Revised Environmental Labeling Guidelines

3. Guide to Communication Practices

4. Conclusion

Chapter 2 explains the "Five Basic Principles" that are central to the Ministry of the Environment's revision of the "Environmental Labeling Guidelines." Chapter 3 summarizes the points companies should consider when disseminating information.

Comment from Mr. Teishu Hirao, Director of the Environmental Economy Division, Ministry of the Environment Secretariat, who cooperated in the creation of this guidebook:

Against the backdrop of international trends, the Environmental Labeling Guidelines, which had been in place for 13 years since the previous version, have now been revised. The aim is not only to prevent greenwashing but also to curb the practice of not making environmental claims due to fear of criticism (known as green hashing), thereby fostering a virtuous cycle of trust through frank dialogue and expanding the market for environmentally friendly products and services.

We have outlined points such as avoiding vague expressions, providing explanations, considering the lifecycle, and ensuring information is traceable with substantiation. We expect this to be actively utilized to differentiate communications and advertisements with high credibility.

▼ "Practical Guidebook for Environmental Labeling Guidelines"

https://www.hakuhodody-holdings.co.jp/news/corporate/20260707_guidebook.pdf

Our group will continue to advance activities in the environmental and sustainability domain, and by leveraging the creativity, drive, and execution capabilities of each employee, we aim to realize and contribute to the development of a sustainable society.