Every consumer product we buy has an impact on the environment. It is important to know which ones have less impact. Here is a programme to help.
THE SCHEME:
The issue of environmental protection has brought the consumers, the industry, and the government to a common platform where each has to play its own role. The government and legislatures are using their influence to reduce environmental and health hazards due to industrialisation and to stimulate the development of clean(er) technologies. However, the environment is under tremendous stress from rapid industrialisation, unplanned urbanisation and changing consumption patterns in the race to achieve better living standards. It is amply clear that regulatory actions by pollution control agencies alone can not restore the environment to its pristine state. Pro-active and promotional roles should also be geared up in harmony with the overall environmental protection strategy.
The time has come for consumers to take the lead in prompting manufacturers to adopt clean and eco-friendly technologies and environmentally-safe disposal of used products, along with preventive and mitigative approaches. To increase consumer awareness, the Government of India launched the eco-labelling scheme known as `Ecomark' in 1991 for easy identification of environment-friendly products. Any product which is made, used or disposed of in a way that significantly reduces the harm it would otherwise cause the environment could be considered as Environment-Friendly Product. The criteria follows a cradle-to-grave approach, i.e. from raw material extraction, to manufacturing, and to disposal. The 'Ecomark' label is awarded to consumer goods which meet the specified environmental criteria and the quality requirements of Indian Standards. Any product with the Ecomark will be the right environmental choice.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME :
The specific objectives of the scheme are as follow :
I) To provide an incentive for manufacturers and importers to reduce adverse environmental impact of products.
II) To reward genuine initiatives by companies to reduce adverse environmental impact of their products.
III) To assist consumers to become environmentally responsible in their daily lives by providing information to take account of environmental factors in their purchase decisions.
IV) To encourage citizens to purchase products which have less harmful environmental impacts.
V) Ultimately to improve the quality of the environment and to encourage the sustainable management of resources.
ECOMARK LOGO:
An earthern pot has been chosen as the logo for the Ecomark scheme in India. The familiar earthern pot uses a renewable resource like earth, does not produce hazardous waste and consumes little energy in making. Its solid and graceful form represents both strength and fragility, which also characterises the eco-system.
As a symbol, it puts across its environmental message. Its image has the ability to reach people and can help to promote a greater awareness of the need to be kind to the environment. The logo for the Ecomark Scheme, signifies that the product which carries it does the least damage to the environment
MECHANISM OF THE SCHEME :
There are three committees involved with the criteria development for each product category and the award of the Ecomark :
1. A Steering Committee, set up in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to determine the product categories for coverage under the scheme and also formulate strategies for promotion, implementation, future development and improvements in the working of the scheme. Determine the product categories to be taken up under the scheme. Create mass awareness for promotion and acceptance of the scheme. Formulate strategies for future development of the scheme.
2. A Technical Committee, set up in the Central Pollution Control Board, to identify the specific product to be selected and the individual criteria to be adopted, including, wherever possible, inter-se priority between the criteria if there be more than one. Identify specific products for classifying as environmental-friendly. Set-up sub-committees for each product category, if required, to draft the Ecomark criteria. Recommend the most appropriate criteria and parameters to designate various products as environment-friendly. o Review from time to time, the implementation of the scheme by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The Central Pollution Control Board has become the member of Global Eco-labelling Network (GEN) since March 2000.
3) The Bureau of Indian Standards to assess and certify the products and draw up a contract with the manufactures, allowing the use of the label, on payment of a fee. o Incorporate the criteria into the Indian Standards. o Certify the product for award of the Ecomark o Review, suspend or cancel a licence for the use of the Ecomark .
CRITERIA FOR ECOMARK :
The criteria are based on the cradle-to-grave approach, i.e. from raw material extraction to manufacturing and to disposal. The basic criteria cover broad environmental levels and aspects, but are specific at the product level. A product is examined in terms of the following main environmental impacts : " that they have substantially less potential for pollution than other comparable products in production, usage and disposal. " that they are recycled, recyclable, made from recycled products or bio- degradable, where comparable products are not; " that they make significant contribution to saving non-renewable resources including non-renewable energy sources and natural resources compared with comparable products; " that the product must contribute to a reduction of the adverse primary criteria which has the highest environmental impact associated with the use of the product, and which will be specifically set for each of the product categories.
1 Product General Requirements : The product general requirements deal with the issues of compliance of the pollution control acts; raising environmental awareness among consumers etc., in addition to safety, quality and performance of the products.
.2 Product Specific Requirements : While determining the product specific requirements, the following issues have been taken into account : " production process including source of raw materials; " use of natural resources; " likely impact of the environment; " energy conservation in the production of the product; " effect and extent of waste arising from the production process; " disposal of the product and its container; " utilisation of "Waste" and recycled materials; " suitability for recycling or packaging; and " biodegradability.
3 Ecomark Criteria of the Product Categories covered under the scheme. The Government of India has notified the final criteria for the following 16 product categories :
1. Soaps & Detergents
2. Paper
3. Food Items
4. Lubricating Oils
5. Packaging Materials
6. Architectural Paints and Powder Coatings
7. Batteries
8. Electrical/Electronic Goods
9. Food Additives
10. Wood Substitutes
11. Cosmetics
12. Aerosol Propellants
13. Plastic Products
14. Textiles
15. Fire-extinguisher
16. Leather