Ecomark: Empowering Sustainable Choices for a Greener Future
28 Apr 2025
The MoEFCC Introduces the Ecomark Rules, 2024, to Label Environmentally Friendly Products
The Government of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is focused on promoting eco-friendly products that align with the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) principles. These principles focus on reducing energy consumption, enhancing resource efficiency, fostering ethical business practices, and supporting a circular economy. In line with this, the MoEFCC has introduced the Ecomark Rules, 2024, released on 26 September 2024, to establish guidelines for labelling environmentally friendly products.
Ecomark empowers consumers to make informed decisions by identifying products that adhere to stringent environmental criteria, such as reduced emissions, reduced waste, and minimal impact on biodiversity.
Ecomark Criteria
Ecomark follows the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle--from raw materials to end-of-life. To qualify for the Ecomark label, products must consider the following:
- Pollution reduction
- Recyclability and biodegradability
- Resource conservation
- Environmental impact reduction
Beyond these core criteria, products are also evaluated on their safety, performance, and compliance with pollution control laws. Additional product-specific criteria assess factors like the production process, resource use, waste management, and disposal. To qualify, products must meet Indian Standards certification or government mandates. Ecomark will be granted to a product upon fulfilment of the criteria if it has a license or a certificate of Indian Standards granted under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, or the Quality Control Orders issued by the the Government of India.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) plays a key role in evaluating products, considering emissions, waste generation, and recycling potential. The evaluations also emphasize Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the use of recycled materials, promoting sustainability in all aspects of production.
Products Eligible for Ecomark
- Cosmetics
- Batteries
- Lubrication oils
- Soaps and detergents
- Food items (like edible oils, tea, and coffee)
- Packaging materials
- Electric and electronic goods
- Textiles
- Fire extinguishers
- Finished leather
- Coir products
These products must meet strict environmental criteria to qualify for the Ecomark label, ensuring that they contribute to environmental sustainability.
Ensuring Compliance
The CPCB may conduct product inspections to verify compliance with the Ecomark Rules. Registered agencies with relevant expertise will handle inspections and submit reports to CPCB.
Maintaining transparency in your environmental practices and following these guidelines ensures that you can successfully obtain, renew, and retain your Ecomark certification, enhancing your product's credibility among eco-conscious consumers.
Ecomark Web Portal
The CPCB plans to launch a web portal to make the Ecomark application process easier. This portal will help manage applications, give approvals, and handle annual report submissions. It will also allow verifiers and agencies to sign up for alerts so they can monitor certified products. All Ecomark holders, verifiers, and agencies must submit their annual reports online through the portal by May 31st of each year. The Annual reports will cover activities from the previous year (April 1st to March 31st), following the prescribed format.
Conclusion
Ecomark is about more than just a label—it's a pledge to sustainability and environmental care. By meeting Ecomark's standards, your product helps protect the environment and meets the increasing demand for eco-friendly options.Contact Intertek today for all your Ecomark inquiries. Our team is here to keep you informed of the latest updates and developments.
