Ecomark Rules 2024 notified by Environment Ministry
The Environmental Ministry has notified the Ecomark Rules 2024 under Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative. The Ecomark Rules 2024, which have been notified on 26 September 2024, replaces the Ecomark Scheme of 1991. The objective of the Ecomark Scheme is to promote sustainable consumption and eco-friendly production by ensuring that environmental standards are strictly followed. The Ecomark Rules 2024 and related scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021, and will be strengthened by these new rules. The notification of these new rules will encourage the demand for eco-friendly products aligning with the principles of LIFE, will promote lower energy-based consumption, resource efficiency and the shift to a circular economy. The new Ecomark Rules will boost the Ecomark Scheem and is a significant step in promoting sustainable lifestyles and encourages sustainable consumption in India. The new rules align with global sustainability goals, changing environmental landscape and reflects the government’s commitment to conservation and protection of the environment.
A key feature of the Ecomark Rules 2024 is to ensure proper labelling of eco-friendly products to prevent misleading information and greenwashing. Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme adhere to specific environmental criteria and have been produced in a manner to ensure minimal environmental impact. But sometimes companies bypass such measures and simply resort to calling their products green and sustainable. The new rules will check this from happening in a more robust manner. In addition, focus is given to building consumer awareness about environmental issues, especially related to manufacturing and production, which will further encourage sustainable consumption. The new rules will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards eco-friendly production.
What is the Ecomark scheme?
Ecomark is a voluntary certification scheme in India that promotes environmentally friendly products. It is administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The scheme aims to encourage consumers to choose products that have a minimal negative impact on the environment.
To be eligible for Ecomark certification, a product must meet the following criteria:
- Environmental friendliness: The product must have a minimal adverse impact on the environment throughout its lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.
- Compliance with environmental standards: The product must comply with relevant Indian and international environmental standards.
- Innovative design: The product must incorporate innovative design features that reduce its environmental footprint.
- Energy efficiency: The product must be energy-efficient.
- Resource conservation: The product must conserve natural resources, such as water and materials.
- Waste reduction: The product must minimize waste generation.
Pollution control: The product must control pollution, such as air and water pollution.
Ecomark Certification Process
The process to obtain Ecomark certification involves several steps, such as:
- Application: Interested manufacturers or importers submit an application to the MoEFCC. The CPCB will soon be creating a separate web portal for receiving Ecomark certification applications.
- Documentation: The applicant must provide detailed documentation about the product, including its manufacturing process, environmental impact assessment, and compliance with standards.
- Evaluation: The MoEFCC evaluates the application and documentation to determine if the product meets the eligibility criteria.
- Inspection: If the product meets the initial criteria, an inspection is conducted at the manufacturing facility to verify the claims made in the application.
- Testing: Samples of the product may be tested to assess its environmental performance.
- Certification: If the product successfully passes all the evaluations, inspections, and tests, it is awarded Ecomark certification.
The symbol used for green labelling products in India by the CPCB has been the humble earthen pot. The earthen pot uses a renewable resource like earth, does not produce hazardous waste and consumes little energy in making. Its solid and graceful form represents both strength and fragility, which also characterizes the ecosystem in which it is found.
Benefits of Ecomark Certification
Obtaining Ecomark certification offers several benefits to manufacturers, importers, and consumers. These include, among others:
- Enhanced brand image: Ecomark certification can help improve the brand image of a product by associating it with environmental responsibility.
- Increased market access: Ecomark certified products may have better access to domestic and international markets, especially in countries with growing environmental awareness.
- Competitive advantage: Ecomark certification can provide a competitive advantage over products that do not have the certification.
- Reduced environmental impact: By choosing Ecomark certified products, consumers can contribute to reducing their environmental footprint.
Ecomark is a valuable certification scheme that promotes environmentally friendly products in India. It provides manufacturers and importers with a way to differentiate their products and contribute to a more sustainable future. The revision of the Ecomark Scheme rules in the current year is a testimony of the Government’s keenness and support towards environmental protection and promoting sustainable lifestyle in the country.
The Gazette notifying the new Ecomark Rules (2024) can be read by clicking here.