To promote environmentally friendly products, the Government has introduced the 'Ecomark' certification, aimed at a variety of categories, including cosmetics, food items, and electronics.
The move aims to empower consumers to make informed choices while encouraging manufacturers to adopt sustainable production practices, ultimately fostering the growth of green industries. The initiative also aims to prevent misleading claims about a product's environmental impact, according to a statement from the Union Environment Ministry issued on Friday here.
“Eco-labelling of products enables consumers to make informed purchase decisions as well as encourage manufacturers to transition to the production of environment-friendly products, leading to the promotion of green industries,” said the notification signed by Union Environment Ministry Joint Secretary Nameeta Prasad.
The Ecomark initiative which aligns with the 'LIFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) principle, focusing on lower energy consumption, resource efficiency, and the promotion of a circular economy will cover a wide range of products.
“These include products that reduce pollution by minimising or eliminating the generation of waste and environmental emissions; products that are recyclable or made from recycled material or both..
“...products that reduce the use of non-renewable resources, including non-renewable energy sources and natural resources; and products that reduce the use of any material that has adverse impacts on the environment,” as per the notification issued late last month.
These include cosmetics such as skin powders, tooth powder, toothpaste, creams, oils, shampoos, soaps, nail polish, and lipsticks and soaps and detergents, food items will cover edible oils, tea, and coffee to name a few while electric/electronic goods include TVs, refrigerators, food mixers, geysers, irons, toasters, and fans. Textiles will cover sustainable fabric products.
Once granted, the Ecomark will remain valid for three years, with annual reports required from holders to ensure continued compliance.
A dedicated Steering Committee, headed by the Union Environment Secretary, will oversee the implementation of the Ecomark rules, recommend products for certification, and periodically review the criteria to support ongoing research and development in sustainable practices.
While developing criteria for the grant of ‘Ecomark’ to a product, the production process, including the source of raw material, will be considered.
Apart from this, the use of natural resources, environmental impact, the effects and extent of emissions or waste arising from the production process, the utilisation of waste and recycled materials, the suitability for recycling, and the use of non-hazardous substances in place of hazardous substances will also be considered.
Talking about the implementation procedure, an official said that an application for ‘Ecomark’ will be required to be made to the CPCB. After that, the Board will, either by itself or through a verifier, verify whether the product complies.
Once this is done, a report will be prepared. Once the Board is satisfied that the product meets the conditions mentioned in the guidelines, it may grant ‘Ecomark’.
This mark will be valid for 3 years or until there is a change in criteria, whichever is earlier.
The certificate can be renewed, as per the notification.
