Notification of Ecomark Rules, 2024
The Ministry of Environment has recently notified Ecomark Rules, 2024 (Rules) which replace the extant Ecomark Scheme, 1991 (Scheme). The Scheme introduced a voluntary and non-binding scheme to ensure accurate information about products and prevent any misleading claims about the impact on any product on the environment. The Rules provide an identification of a product to have lesser adverse impact on the environment which is referred to as an ‘ecomark’ (Ecomark). The Rules are aimed at encouraging production of environmentally friendly products by providing them Ecomark for recognition amongst the consumers. The Rules have become effective from the date of their publication in the official gazette i.e. 26 September 2024.
The salient feature of the Rules are as follows:
- Criteria for grant of Ecomark:
As per the Rules, any product which fulfils the following criteria will be granted Ecomark:
- If it has a licence or certificate of conformity under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and/or
- A mandate of the Quality Control Orders issued by the Central Government
- Criteria provided under First Schedule of the Rules which broadly includes the below mentioned criterias:
- reduces pollution by minimizing or eliminates the generation of waste and environmental emissions;
- is recyclable or is made from recycled material or both;
- reduces use of non-renewable resources, including non-renewable energy sources and natural resources;
- reduces use of any material, which has adverse impacts on the environment.
- Production process, source of raw material, use of natural resources, suitability of recycling would also be considered for eligibility of a product to be granted Ecomark.
- Procedure for application for grant of Ecomark:
If the aforementioned criterias are satisfied, then the product may be granted Ecomark upon an application made to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Ecomark granted to every person under the Rules shall be affixed on such product and shall be valid for a period of 3 years or until there is a change in the criteria for granting Ecomark to the product. The holder of the Ecomark product is mandated to submit an annual report to CPCB on or before the 31st of May of each year. For the purpose of making of applicant for grant of Ecomark or submission of annual report, a web portal will be developed to streamline the process. If CPCB determines that an Ecomark holder has provided false information or intentionally concealed required information, it may suspend or cancel the Ecomark after allowing the holder an opportunity to present their case.
- Effective implementation of the Rules:
A steering committee (Steering Committee) will be constituted by the Central Government for effective implementation of the Rules. The Committee shall undertake various duties such as periodic review of the criteria for grant of Ecomark, measures to be adopted and promotion of the Ecomark, review of annual reports submitted by the holder of Ecomark to CPCB, etc. A technical committee will also be constituted for undertaking duties such as development of process of verification of products for grant of Ecomark by CPCB and review the criteria for grant of Ecomark.
Please view the notification here.
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