How Will The Government’s New ‘Ecomark’ Help You Identify Eco-Friendly Products?

The Indian Government has introduced a new initiative aimed at promoting eco-friendly products through a set of guidelines. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has established the Ecomark Rules, 2024, which will label products meeting specific criteria. This ‘Ecomark’ on products will empower consumers to make informed choices about the products they purchase. 

According to the Ministry’s notification, the initiative aims to encourage demand for products that have a lesser negative impact on the environment, thereby supporting the principles of ‘LIFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment). It promotes lower energy consumption, resource efficiency and conservation, and a circular economy.

Additionally, the initiative will help prevent fake or misleading claims about the environment friendliness of any product.

To be eligible for an ‘Ecomark’, a product must possess a licence or a certificate of conformity to Indian Standards, as granted under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Criteria for Granting Ecomark:

1. The product should reduce pollution by minimising or eliminating waste generation and environmental emissions.
2. It should be recyclable or made from recycled materials, or both.
3. The product must reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, including non-renewable energy sources and natural resources.
4. It should reduce the use of materials that have an adverse impact on the environment.

In addition to these, factors such as the production process, use of natural resources, environmental impact, waste emissions, product disposal, and packaging will also be considered. The notification outlines criteria for 17 categories of products, including paints, cosmetics, batteries, edible oils, tea, coffee, toilet soaps, and paper.

“Today, there is a lot of clarity on what is the true scope of what is environmentally-friendly in terms of emissions and waste. Consumers want sustainable consumption and these rules will help them make an informed choice. It is also a way of nudging companies to adopt sustainable practices,” Leena Nandan, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary told The Indian Express.

Companies can apply for an Ecomark through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 

The draft Ecomark Certification Rules, 2023, were published on 11 October, 2023. After incorporating suggestions, the Ecomark Rules, 2024, were finalised in September 2024.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee