Latest news with #ItalianCompetitionAuthority
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dior Welcomes ‘Positive Conclusion' of Italian Probe
Dior said Wednesday it has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an Italian probe into its supply chain, citing a 'positive conclusion' of an investigation by the Italian Competition Authority. 'This further underscores the maison's steadfast and historic dedication to pursuing both rigorous made in Italy products and the highest standards of ethics and excellence,' it said. More from WWD Why Saudi Arabia and Qatar Are Primed for New Design Events as Contract Business Drives Demand Natalie Portman Elevates Femininity in Dior Little Black Dress for the 'Fountain of Youth' Premiere in New York City All the Designer Debuts Still to Come in 2025 Last year, an investigation was launched into alleged worker exploitation at several Chinese-owned firms in Italy producing luxury goods for the Armani Group, Dior and Alviero Martini. 'Dior remains committed to upholding our values of transparency and respect throughout our supply chain,' the French fashion house said in Wednesday's statement. 'We continue to closely monitor, and where appropriate, strengthen, our internal procedures to maintain fair and equitable working conditions for everyone who contributes, with great commitment and skill, to creating the finest quality Dior products.' Dior said it partnered closely with the Italian Competition Authority 'to define a robust set of commitments that increase transparency and strengthen oversight throughout its supply chain, as well as promote initiatives aimed at protecting and facilitating employment of artisans and workers in the fashion industry.' Dior had already passed a hurdle last February when the Court of Milan revoked a judicial administration imposed when its probe was initiated in June 2024. At the time, Dior welcomed an early and successful resolution of those proceedings. A concurrent investigation by the Italian Competition Authority, initiated in July 2024, focused on whether Dior misled consumers by promoting high ethical standards and artisanal craftsmanship while allegedly relying on suppliers that subjected workers to poor conditions. This week, the authority concluded its investigation without establishing any infringement, according to Dior. In a separate release, the Italian body said that one of Dior's commitments was a sum of 2 million euros over five years, going to support initiatives helping victims of labor exploitation. The same form of special administration imposed on Giorgio Armani Operations, a unit of the namesake designer's fashion group, was also revoked last February. Meanwhile, probes in Italy continue into working conditions in the supply chain of luxury brands. Last week, a unit of Valentino specialized in bags was placed under judicial administration for a year by the same Milan court after worker abuse was uncovered at subcontractors. Following the move, Valentino said it had intensified its supplier evaluation process across its supply chain in recent years and would cooperate with the relevant authorities to 'fully understand the circumstances that have led to the measures taken by the judiciary in this specific case.' Best of WWD Bottega Veneta Through the Years Chanel's Ambassadors Over The Years Ranking Fashion's Longest-serving Creative Directors Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
10-04-2025
- Fox News
Tourists ripped off at popular landmark by 'impossible' ticketing schemes attract investigation
Many travelers who visit Rome, Italy, find themselves at one of the most iconic architectural marvels in the world: the Colosseum. And now tourists visiting the famed Colosseum may have an easier time of it, as Italian authorities have concluded a crackdown on ticketing policies that made it more difficult for visitors to access the landmark. The Italian Competition Authority found that agencies were exploiting tourists by using practices that made it harder for regular visitors to buy basic online tickets, according to The Associated Press (AP). The Colosseum was Italy's most-visited landmark, attracting over 12 million travelers in 2023 alone, according to AP. "The investigation was launched in July 2023, after the Authority gathered information indicating that the online purchase of tickets to access the Colosseum Archaeological Park was essentially impossible," the organization said in a press release. The fines against companies totaled $22 million, with the Cooperative Culture Society agency receiving the largest portion at nearly $8 million, AP reported. The group was nabbed for selling tickets that came bundled with tour-guide offers or line-skipping abilities — which forced tourists to buy tickets at significantly higher prices. Authorities said the group "failed to take adequate steps to counter automated ticket hoarding … It [also] kept a sizable share of tickets for bundled sales tied to its own educational tours, which generated considerable profits." The Cooperative Culture Society managed ticket purchases to the Colosseum from 1997 to 2024. Approximately six million Americans traveled to Italy in 2023, according to the State Department. Built between 72 and 80 AD, the Colosseum is considered a testament to the architectural and engineering skills of the Roman Empire. It was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, according to the location's website. The building has a surface area of six acres.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Company dealt massive fine after misleading customers with fake program: 'Customers were led to believe'
If you have ever seen a shampoo that was labeled "all natural" but the ingredients list had synthetic substances, you know that it's all too common for companies to use greenwashing to lure in customers. Greenwashing is especially frequent in the beauty, fashion, and shipping industries because of their high carbon footprints, but not every act of greenwashing is punished. Luckily, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) cracked down on three companies, issuing an extraordinary fine of €8 million ($8.7 million). In January, the Italian Competition Authority fined three transport companies — General Logistics Systems B.V., General Logistics Systems Italy S.p.A., and General Logistics Systems Enterprise S.r.l. — for greenwashing via misleading marketing claims and charging customers an exorbitant amount for carbon offset certificates. The first issue was that the companies used taglines including "100% green energy in our facilities" with no evidence to back up their claims. The second issue was that they forced customers to subscribe to a "Climate Protect" program to offset carbon pollution from deliveries. The companies did not verify the carbon emissions created by the customers before charging and charged up to four times more than necessary. Instead of using the excess to offset more of their carbon footprint, they kept the profit. "While top clients were exempted from paying the contribution, all other customers were led to believe that the GLS companies themselves would be contributing significantly to the program's funding," the AGCM said in a statement. These false claims influenced customers to choose these shipping companies over others that might have actually offset more of their carbon footprints. The greenwashing also ruined the reputation of the companies. The transportation industry contributes 8% of global heat-trapping gas pollution and up to 11% if ports and warehouses are included. Demand for shipping is expected to triple by 2050 and become the biggest contributor of all industries, which means it's imperative that we reduce our use of dirty fuels immediately. A way the industry can effect change is to use boats more than cars or trucks and transition to electric vehicles. More lawsuits are popping up against greenwashing, which means corporations trying to skirt environmental laws are being held accountable. Even Apple isn't exempt from a civil lawsuit. Consumers can also call out businesses if they see greenwashing, like with this case against Fisher-Price or these brands at Target. If you would like to learn more about greenwashing, you can check out the TCD guide. Should companies be required to help recycle their own products? Definitely No way It depends on the product They should get tax breaks instead Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
