SEC Reiterates it Has Powers to Prosecute Greenwashing

US financial watchdog the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned that it will come after companies who make false ESG claims or commit vital data in their disclosures. Division of Enforcement Director Gurbir Grewal reminded a conference in Washington DC that rules that applied to the selling of financial products were also relevant to claims about sustainability. He cited recent examples in which the SEC brought cases against Fiat Chrysler and Pax World Management for greenwashing. “We will continue to apply long-standing, well-known and understood regulations and standards that govern the securities industry when investigating possible misconduct,” he said.