Govt notifies new labelling rules for green products

The Rules were notified to keep it in line with existing sustainability and environmentally friendly practices and with the Environment Ministry’s Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes sustainable consumption.

The rules spell out the conditions, procedure, verification process and compliance mechanism of the scheme. It also contains a detailed criteria that manufacturers need to follow for grant of Ecomark.

The criteria includes, among others, conditions such as reducing pollution by minimising or eliminating generation of waste and environmental emissions, using recycled material or making recyclable products, reducing use of pollution energy sources and reducing use of environmentally harmful materials.

“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,” said Leena Nandan, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary.

As part of the Ecomark Rules, the notification has also spelt out a detailed criteria for 17 categories of products ranging from paints, cosmetics, batteries, edible oils, tea, coffee, toilet soaps to coir and paper.

Products from these categories also need certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards, compliance with pollution norms and meet other specific category related criteria.

Under the voluntary scheme, companies can apply for Ecomark for a product with the Central Pollution Control Board, which will then entrust the work of verifying Ecomark labelling applications to registered agencies that are experienced and qualified in the field of environment and matters related to labelling.