The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been asked to launch an investigation into alleged “misleading and deceptive conduct” by a group of companies over public statements on the impact of Australia’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

The call has been made by the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Climate Justice Program, which have named six companies in their complaint to the ACCC. The list comprises miners Rio Tinto and Xstrata, petroleum groups Woodside and Caltex, as well as Boral, the building products group, and Bluescope Steel.