Introduction: Eco Mark Scheme

The Eco Mark scheme is a label given by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. It shows that products meet specific environmental rules. It is optional and used for different things like food, medicines, chemicals, and electrical items. The scheme ensures companies follow strict environmental rules and encourages them to manufacture products that comply with the eco standards. BIS examines whether the product is good for the environment and if it is then the eco mark certification is provided to the manufacturer for that product. It promotes eco-friendly manufacturing and distribution of the products, making people more aware of the environment in India. Let’s dive deep into the world of Eco Mark Certification and understand the Eco Mark Scheme and its importance in the manufacturing industry.

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What is Eco Mark?

Eco Mark is a label in India that shows products are good for the environment. It's given by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which is the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. Things like food, medicines, chemicals, and electrical items can get this label. Companies need to first manufacture and test their products against the eco standards set by the BIS. The periodic testing continues after the issuance of the Eco Mark certificate and the Eco Mark certification can be cancelled by BIS if the products stop complying with the requisite standards.

What is the Issuing Authority for Eco Mark?

The Eco Mark, an esteemed certification in India, is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. BIS serves as the primary authority for national standardization, responsible for formulating and promoting quality, safety, and reliability standards for diverse products and services.

Under the Eco Mark Scheme, BIS assumes key responsibilities, including the management of license renewals, suspensions, and cancellations, alongside conducting comprehensive inspections and sample analyses of materials and substances associated with the Eco Mark. BIS plays a pivotal role in integrating the Eco Mark criteria into the relevant Indian Standards, facilitating the assessment and certification of products, and ensuring strict adherence to prescribed environmental standards. As the central regulatory body for quality assurance and standardization, BIS significantly contributes to the advancement of eco-friendly practices and the promotion of sustainable development through the Eco Mark registration program.

Benefits of Eco Mark Scheme

The Eco Mark Scheme provides the following benefits to the products and businesses as well as the consumers. Some of the major benefits of Eco Mark Certification are as follows-

• Environmental Protection

The Eco Mark scheme encourages the use of renewable resources and the reduction of energy consumption and hazardous waste production, thereby contributing to overall environmental protection.

• Consumer Awareness

By labelling eco-friendly products with the recognizable Eco Mark logo, the scheme enhances consumer awareness, empowering individuals to make environmentally responsible choices while shopping.

• Sustainable Development

Through its stringent standards and guidelines, the Eco Mark scheme fosters sustainable development by encouraging manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices, reducing the environmental impact of various product categories.

• Credibility and Trust

The oversight of the certification process by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ensures the credibility and reliability of the Eco Mark, establishing it as a trusted symbol of environmental responsibility in the market.

• Responsible Resource Management

The Eco Mark scheme promotes responsible resource management by advocating for the use of recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials and the adoption of sustainable manufacturing processes.

Requirement of Eco Mark for Plastic Product

All plastic products must meet the requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards for quality, safety, and performance. Manufacturers need to provide proof that their production processes comply with various environmental regulations, including those related to pollution control and product safety. Products should list their key ingredients, mentioning their proportions and following the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The packaging material must be either recyclable or biodegradable. The Eco Mark label applies to the packaging or the product itself, depending on whether the content is covered separately under the Eco Mark.

By way of this notification, the Central Pollution Control Board has mandated the eco mark for plastic products. It has also prescribed that plastic product manufacturers need to get the environmental clearances for their products before applying for Eco Mark to the Bureau of Indian Standards. There are different standard requirements for different product categories including food, pharmaceutical, drinking water grade plastic products, recycled plastic products, horticultural supplies, and product containers for food and non-food items, office supplies, recreational equipment, furniture, construction materials and other identified plastic products.

How to get Eco Mark for Your product?

To obtain an Eco Mark certification for a product, you need to follow a structured application process administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get an Eco Mark for a product-

• Determine Eligibility

Ensure that your product aligns with the environmental criteria outlined under the Eco Mark Scheme. Only after the eligibility is confirmed, you can apply for the Eco Mark Registration.

• Submit Application

File an application with the BIS for using the Eco Mark on your products. This usually involves submitting the application form along with the necessary fees. Corpseed makes it simple and easy for you to get the mark most efficiently.

• Compliance Check

BIS will inspect your manufacturing premises and assess your product's environmental impact. They may collect samples for analysis to determine if your product adheres to the Eco Mark criteria.

• Testing of Product Samples

The collected product samples will be tested at a laboratory, often a NABL-accredited facility, to verify that they meet the necessary standards.

• Grant of License

If your product satisfies the Eco Mark criteria, BIS will grant you a license to use the Eco Mark logo on your products. The license is typically valid for a minimum period of one year and may be renewed based on reassessment.

• Compliance Maintenance

Ensure that you continue to adhere to the stipulated environmental standards to maintain the validity of the Eco Mark license. In case you stop adhering to the standards, your license may be cancelled.

Implementation of Eco Mark Registration

The process to get the Eco Mark certification has some tough challenges. These include strict rules for manufacturers, lack of awareness, high costs and resources needed, problems with compliance, the scheme not covering everything, and the need to keep up with new technology. Manufacturers find it hard to stick to the tough environmental rules set by the Eco Mark certification. This might require them to make big changes to the framework. This makes it hard for the scheme to have a big impact on society. On top of that, getting and keeping the certification costs a lot, and businesses, especially small ones, find this tough.

To help with these problems, it's important to amend and improve eco standards wherever necessary and help manufacturers so that they can meet them. Making people aware of the Eco Mark through ads and teaching can inspire them to buy products with the Eco Mark. Providing financial incentives and assistance in compliance fulfilment by the regulatory authority will inspire businesses to get the Eco Mark registration for their products and adhere to the eco standards. The Eco Mark Scheme needs to be up-to-date according to the market trends and cover all newly launched products under the scheme will keep it relevant for the contemporary market and consumer needs which will further boost its importance in the environmentally friendly market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Eco Mark Scheme is a crucial effort by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to support eco-friendly practices for different types of products in India. The scheme's focus on strict environmental rules and sustainable ways of manufacturing consumer products shows the awareness of the government and regulatory bodies about the environment. There are some challenges in implementing the Eco Mark Scheme and inspiring businesses to get Eco Mark Certification, which can be fixed with various supportive measures. By dealing with these problems early on, India can show that it is leading the way into a safe and sustainable future looking after the environment and promising an environmentally enduring lifestyle.