Ecomark
scheme cries for industry attention
October 06, 2006, The Financial Express
New Delhi, India
Even 15 years after it became operational, the Indian Ecomark
Scheme has not gained the attention of the consumer and the industry.
The National Environment Policy Statement of
India, 2006 had recognised the role of ecolabels on products in
promoting environmental conservation.
According to a study conducted by Consumer Unity
and Trust Society (CUTS)
International, an NGO, just 12 manufacturers
of products like paper, pulp, leather and wood particleboard have
till now applied for the Ecomark licence.
Interestingly, the licensees have hardly bothered
to use the Ecomark symbol ‘matka’ on their package
as it was not found to be beneficial for them, CUTS said.
Another reason was the lack of a national communication
strategy. Also there were no incentives of greater demand for
products with ecolabels.
Manufacturers hardly bothered to apply for an
Ecomark licence since a greater investment is needed to reach
the high stringency standards of ecolabels.
Pradeep S Mehta, secretary general, CUTS International
has pinned the blame on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for
failing to effectively implement the Ecomark scheme.
Mehta has advocated setting up an independent
Ecolabelling Board to promote the Ecomark scheme with transparency.
The BIS could be asked to provide experienced technical staff
to such a board, he said.
According to the CUTS International study, there
is lack of awareness of the Ecomark Scheme among the Indian industry,
especially among the small and medium enterprises.
Even consumer awareness about the scheme was
found to be poor.
The exclusion of the ministry of finance from
the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on environment and forest
for the scheme, was most inappropriate, Mehta said.
Incentives or rewards to manufacturers to reduce
adverse environmental impact of products could be given to promote
the scheme, he added.
URL: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=142519
