Context:

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the new Ecomark Rules 2024, replacing the previous Ecomark scheme of 1991.

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• This initiative aligns with India's commitment to promoting sustainable consumption and eco-friendly production under the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission.
• The new Ecomark Scheme will be implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 
• The scheme aims to establish strict environmental criteria for products, ensuring minimal ecological impact while promoting sustainable consumption patterns among consumers.

About Ecomark

The Ecomark Scheme is a voluntary and non-binding scheme which promotes labelling and certification of household and consumer products that meet specific environmental standards while ensuring compliance with Indian quality norms. 

Ecomark label for products:

• An Ecomark is granted to a product that has a licence or a certificate of conformity with Indian Standards granted under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and/or a mandate of the Quality Control Orders and that fulfils the criteria as prescribed in the rules. 

     Criteria to obtain an Ecomark label includes –  

• products must demonstrate environmental responsibility by reducing pollution, eliminating waste generation, and avoiding materials harmful to the environment
• product is recyclable or is made from recycled material or both, 
• reduces the use of non-renewable resources,  
• reducing the use of polluted energy sources and 
• reducing the use of environmentally harmful materials
• After this notification, all the products manufactured products including skin powder, tooth powder, shampoo, soap, shaving creams, and lipsticks must comply with BIS Indian Standards for safety, quality, and performance." 
• Manufacturers must ensure their cosmetics are labelled as environment-friendly and are produced without using carcinogenic or harmful ingredients."

Key Features of the Scheme

• Environmental Standards: The scheme mandates specific environmental criteria for product certification, focusing on reducing ecological footprint across the manufacturing process.
• Consumer Awareness: Emphasizes accurate product labelling and information dissemination to help consumers make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions.
• Resource Efficiency: Promotes lower energy consumption and optimal resource utilization, supporting the principles of circular economy.
• Quality Assurance: Partnership with BIS ensures strict quality control and compliance with environmental standards.

Benefits of the Scheme

• Encourages sustainable practices in manufacturing: By rewarding eco-friendly standards, certifications promote responsible manufacturing processes across various industries.
• Supports national environmental goals: These certifications align consumer behaviour with India's sustainability initiatives, aiding in broader environmental conservation efforts.
• Fosters global collaboration on sustainability: Eco-labels facilitate international efforts against climate change by promoting sustainable practices and cooperation among nations.
• Drives innovation in green technologies: The demand for certified products motivates companies to develop innovative solutions that meet eco-friendly standards.
• Incentivizes responsible business practices: Eco-certifications enhance marketability for businesses, leading to increased consumer trust and loyalty in the green market.
• Reduces carbon footprints of products: By guiding consumers toward lower-impact options, eco-certifications significantly contribute to minimizing the overall carbon footprint.