Recasting its flagship scheme on labelling of eco-friendly products, recently, the Union Environment Ministry notified the Ecomark Rules, 2024, almost a year after its draft rules were notified.
Ecomark Rules, 2024
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Ecomark Rules.
- Alignment: Part of the LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment) launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2021.
- Replace: It replaces the Ecomark scheme of 1991.
- The scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
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Key Objectives
- Promoting Green Industries: The initiative encourages the production and consumption of eco-friendly products, promoting sustainability and energy/resource efficiency.
- Consumer Awareness: Ecomark aims to help consumers make informed purchase decisions by identifying products with lower environmental impacts.
- Circular Economy: Supports resource conservation and promotes recycling and reduction of waste, aligning with the ‘LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment)’ principle.
Eligibility Criteria for Ecomark
- Products must reduce pollution, minimise waste, or eliminate environmental emissions.
- Recyclability: Preference for products made from recycled materials or those that are recyclable.
- Conservation of Resources: Reducing the use of non-renewable energy and natural resources.
- Environmental Impact: Consideration of the production process, including raw material sourcing, emissions, and the use of recycled or non-hazardous substances.
Products Covered under Ecomark
- Cosmetics: Skin powder, including that for infants; tooth powder and toothpaste; skin cream; hair oil; shampoo; soap; hair cream; nail polish; aftershave lotion; shaving cream; cosmetic pencil; lipstick; etc.
- Soaps and Detergents: Environmentally friendly variants.
- Food Items: Edible oils, tea, coffee.
- Electric/Electronic Goods: TVs, refrigerators, food mixers, geysers, toasters, fans, etc.
- Textiles: Eco-friendly fabrics and garments.
Application and Verification Process
- Application: Manufacturers must apply for Ecomark to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Verification: CPCB, or a designated verifier, will assess compliance through a detailed report.
- Validity: The Ecomark will be valid for three years or until criteria changes. It can be renewed.
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Compliance and Monitoring
- Annual Report Submission: Holders of Ecomark must submit annual reports to the CPCB by May 31 each year.
- Penalty for False Information: The CPCB can suspend or cancel the mark if false information is provided, though the holder can appeal such decisions.
Institutional Framework
- Steering Committee: Headed by the Environment Secretary, comprising members from various ministries, CSIR, BIS, and CPCB.
- Role: The committee will recommend products, periodically review criteria, and support research for verifying environmental impacts.
Significance of Eco Mark
- Promotes Sustainable Development: Ecomark plays a key role in aligning industrial practices with sustainable development goals (SDGs).
- Encourages Eco-friendly Innovations: Push industries toward environmentally responsible technologies and processes that reduce resource consumption and pollution.
- Reduces Environmental Degradation: By incentivizing the production of eco-friendly products, helps in mitigating pollution, reducing waste, and lowering the carbon footprint across various sectors.
- Empowers Consumers: Empowers consumers to make informed and conscious decisions, enabling them to contribute to environmental conservation by choosing green products over conventional ones.
- Supports National and International Environmental Commitments:
- The scheme helps meet climate-related targets under international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives.
- Encourages Green Manufacturing: Motivates manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production processes.
- Encourages the growth of green industries in India.
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Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- Formed: It was constituted in September 1974 under the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974.
- Powers: It is also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- Principal Functions:
- To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and
- To improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
- It also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
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About Ecomark Scheme
- Launch: The Ecomark Scheme was initiated by the Government of India in 1991.
- Administration: It is administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), with oversight by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
- Symbol: The symbol for Ecomark is the ‘Matka’ (earthen pot), which represents eco-friendly products in the Indian market.
- Voluntary Basis: The scheme operates voluntarily, non-binding, allowing manufacturers to apply for the label.
- Compliance with Standards: Products displaying both the ECO Logo and ISI Mark indicate they meet environmental criteria as well as quality standards specified in relevant Indian Standards.
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About Mission LiFE
- Mission LiFE was launched by the Honourable Prime Minister on October 20, 2022,.
- It promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle centred around mindful and purposeful use, rather than thoughtless and wasteful consumption.
- The concept of Mission LiFE, which stands for “LiFEStyle For Environment”, was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi at COP26 in Glasgow on November 1, 2021.
- Objective:
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- To shift from a “use-and-dispose” economy to a circular economy based on conscious and intentional consumption.
- To encourage people to live in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way.
- To motivate at least 1 billion people to take individual and group actions to protect and conserve the environment between 2022 and 2028.
- It emboldens the spirit of the P3 model, i.e. Pro Planet People.
- It functions on the basic principles of ‘Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet’.
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October 4, 2024
