Italy's Eni fined Eur5 mil for Green Diesel advertising breach

New York — The Italian Competition and Market authority Wednesday fined Italian oil major Eni Eur5 million ($5.6 million) over misleading claims in the advertising of "Green Diesel."

In a statement, the authority said the misleading claims about the environmental benefits of Eni Diesel+ derived from its renewable component, hydrotreated vegetable oil, called Green Diesel by Eni. However, these claims are unfounded. Given that Eni Diesel+ is a petroleum-based fuel it cannot be considered "green," it added.

Eni Diesel + contains 15% HVO made from virgin vegetable oils as well wastes and residues such as used cooking oil. Eni has two HVO plants one in Porto Maghera and another in Gela.

The authority also said "some of the touted characteristics of the product, relating to the reduction of emissions by up to 40%, CO 2 emissions by 5% on average, and consumption up to 4%, were not confirmed by the preliminary findings."

During the investigation, "Eni halted the press campaign and undertook to stop using the word 'green' with reference to automotive fuels," the authority said.

Eni did not respond to a request for comment.