Failure prompts Govt to review ECOMARK Scheme

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Ecomark, the scheme for labelling of eco-friendly products, launched about two decades back, has failed to enthuse manufacturers.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests Is reviewing the scehme to make necessary changes for its revival.

Out of the 17 product categories for which criteria have been notified by the Ministry, licences for only three categories have been obtained by 12 manufacturers.

The concept of eco-lebeling is to encourgae environment friendly commodities in the market. ECOMARK was launched to provide accreditation and labeling for household and other consumer products which meet certain environmetal criteria along with standard quality requirements of the India Standards Institute(now BIS) for the product.

ECOMARK is a voluntary scheme. The criteria are based on the cradle-to-grave approach or life cycle analysis.

An inter-ministerial Committee in the Ministry known as 'Steering Committee' determines the categories of products which need to be brought under the purview of the ECOMARK schemes. Then a Technical Committee in CPCB develops the criteria for each product category for consideration of the Steering Committee.

Once the criteria are finalised, BIS translates the product specific specifications into India Standards.

BIS is also responsible for testing and certification of the products for ECOMARK.

The manufacturers have to pay prescribed license to BIS for certification and use of the ECOMARK along with the ISI Mark which is initially awarded for one year on a renewable basis.

UNI