Introducing India’s New Ecomark Rules, 2024 : A Step Towards Sustainable Choices
The Government of India recently took a transformative step towards sustainable consumerism by notifying the Ecomark Rules, 2024 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. These new rules, replacing the earlier scheme from 1991, aim to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission—a 2021 initiative designed to encourage a shift towards environmentally friendly lifestyles.
Why the Ecomark Rules Matter
The new Ecomark scheme intends to promote demand for eco-friendly products with minimal environmental impact, supporting a sustainable, circular economy. By labeling these products, consumers can make informed choices, manufacturers are encouraged to adopt greener production practices, and the market for green industries grows.
Key Principles of the Ecomark Scheme
The Ecomark certification is given only to products meeting specific environmental criteria. These products are evaluated for their impact on climate change, biodiversity, resource consumption, waste generation, emissions, pollution, and hazardous substances. The certification also considers whether a product:
- Minimizes pollution by reducing waste and emissions,
- Is recyclable or made from recycled materials,
- Uses renewable resources, limiting reliance on non-renewable resources and energy,
- Limits materials with adverse environmental impacts.
The scheme aims to protect consumers from misleading “greenwashing” claims, ensuring that only genuinely sustainable products bear the Ecomark label.
Process of the Ecomark Certification
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), oversees the implementation of the Ecomark scheme. The certification rules published as a draft in 2023 invited public feedback, which the Central Government carefully reviewed before finalizing the scheme. Under these rules, products with a license or conformity certificate from the BIS and fulfilling the criteria under the Ecomark First Schedule are eligible for certification.
The Impact of Ecomark Rules 2024 : A Win for Consumers, Manufacturers, and the Planet
Eco-labelling empowers consumers to choose products that align with their sustainability values and encourages manufacturers to shift towards sustainable production. The Ecomark label is a strong signal of a product’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, helping to build a culture of conscious consumerism in India.
The Ecomark Rules, 2024, mark an important step towards a sustainable future. They promote environmentally responsible choices and green industry growth, while aligning with India’s global environmental goals and the principles of the LiFE Mission. By fostering awareness and encouraging both individual and collective sustainable decisions, the Ecomark scheme paves the way for a greener, more responsible consumer landscape in India.
To Download gazette notification, click here
