Ecomark Rules, 2024 were published vide G.S.R. 596(E) dated September 26, 2024. Section 3(i) provides that Ecomark may be granted to a product holding a license/certificate of conformity to Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 2016 and/or a Quality Control Order mandate, and meeting the criteria under column (3) of the First Schedule. Section 9(1)(b) provides that CPCB shall review and develop Ecomark criteria and recommend the same to the Steering Committee.

In exercise of powers under Sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Section 9(1)(b) of the Ecomark Rules, 2024, the Central Government has specified amendments to Serial Numbers 1, 3, 6, 11, 15 and 17 of the First Schedule. The notification will be considered on or after expiry of 60 days from the date of publication of the draft in the official Gazette. Objections/suggestions may be sent to the Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi-110003, or e-mail: sohsmd-mef@gov.in.

The amendments substitute the criteria under column (3) for the following six product categories. Each category’s revised entry includes General Criteria (BIS standards compliance, consents under Water Act 1974/Air Act 1981, QR code labelling) and Specific Criteria covering chemical/material composition limits, raw material/recycling requirements, effluent and emission standards, energy/water consumption norms, EPR compliance, and ISO 14001:2015 certification:

• Serial No. 1 – Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings: VOC limits, heavy metal and formaldehyde limits, restrictions on phthalates, preservatives/biocides, POPs, halogenated solvents, glycol ethers, APEOs, organotins, and packaging/renewable energy requirements.
• Serial No. 3 – Batteries: EPR registration under Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, hazardous material limits, restrictions on chlorine-based plastics/PVC, biodegradable packaging, recycled lead use targets (FY24-25 to FY26-27 onwards), APCD installation, and recycling requirements.
• Serial No. 6 – Paper Products: Pulp composition norms, ECF/TCF bleaching, AOX/PCP limits, restrictions on Azo/Benzidine dyes, PFAS/OBA/QAC restrictions, fibre recovery systems, and category-wise specific freshwater/electricity consumption limits.
• Serial No. 11 – Wood and Wood Substitute Products: Raw material utilization norms for plywood, MDF/HDF, particle board, briquettes/pellets and gypsum board, natural adhesive content requirements, restrictions on non-biodegradable materials, anti-termite/antimony oxide restrictions, and formaldehyde/lead/cadmium/VOC limits.
• Serial No. 15 – Fire Extinguishers: Prohibition of ozone-depleting substances, Ecomark-certified container coating, recycled metal component requirements, and restrictions on heavy metals and PFAS in extinguishing agents.
• Serial No. 17 – Coir and Coir Products: Requirement for 100% mechanically extracted natural coir fibre/pith, Rubber Board certification for natural rubber/latex, limits for residual pesticides/pH/chlorides/sulphates/formaldehyde/heavy metals, restrictions on Azo/Benzidine dyes, renewable energy and rainwater harvesting requirements, and wastewater utilization norms.