What is Ecomark?

Eco-mark is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as a certification mark for the products which are ecologically safe conforming to the standards prescribed by the BIS. The scheme first saw its application in 1991. It is voluntary in nature and helps in identifying eco-friendly products in the market. The mark is being issued in around 16 categories like food, medicines, chemicals, electronic goods, paper, lubricating oils, packing materials etc. The Eco-mark scheme falls under the ambit of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

The objective of the Eco-mark scheme

• Encourage all citizens to use and buy products which are environment-friendly
• Reward and promote genuine initiatives by companies to reduce the adverse environmental impact on their products.
• Provide incentive for manufacturers and importers to control the ill effects of their products on the environment
• Improve the overall quality of the environment and promote sustainable management of resources in India.

Criteria for awarding Eco-mark

The products which get the Eco-mark need to strictly follow the environmental requirements and also pass stringent quality control tests to keep their certification valid. The following conditions are evaluated before awarding the Eco-mark certification to a product: 

• Substantially less potential for pollution in production, usage and disposal;
• Recycled, recyclable, made from recycled or biodegradable products;
• Make significant contribution in saving non-renewable resources and natural resources;
• Production process including source of raw material;
• Likely impact on the environment;
• Suitability for recycling or packaging;
• Biodegradability.