IFC introduces eco-friendly certification for batteries

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) With the growing concerns on environment and the trend of introducing green technologies, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) together with Occupational Knowledge International (OKI) today announced a new programme to certify battery manufacturers that meet minimum emissions standards and recycle lead batteries.

Under the Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) programme, certified battery manufacturers can display an eco-label on their products, indicating that they meet the environmental requirements of export markets.

The announcement of the joint endeavour of a San Francisco-based NGO OKI and the IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, was made at the ongoing 9th Auto Expo here.

The IFC has contributed about 3,50,000 dollar or 55 per cent of total costs for the programme, which is also supported by the Finnish and Norwegian governments.

''Adoption of the eco-label provides a great incentive for companies to improve pollution control in India,'' Occupational Knowledge International Executive Director Perry Gottesfeld said.

The BEST programme included participants like Tata GS Batteries, Hero Honda, Indian Railways, and Tata Motors among government of India, international agencies and NGOs.

UNI SG SBA BST1713