ECO Mark

Different countries have adopted different measures to promote schemes for environmental protection. One such scheme is the labeling system of products 10 indicate environment friendliness of products. In India, a scheme of eco-mark has been introduced which aims at distinguishing any product which is made used or disposed off in a way that significantly reduces the adverse effect it would otherwise have on the environment.

The objectives of the scheme are as follows :

• to provide an incentive for the organisation to produce environment friendly products.
• to reward genuine initiative by organisations undertaking to miniseries the adverse impact of their operation on the environment.
• to help customers to become environmentally responsible by extending their patronage to products which are environmentally benign.
• ultimately to improve quality of the environment and to encourage the sustainable management of resources.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria is such that only eco-friendly projects can produce Eco-mark products.

A perfectly environnlentally sound product does not exist. There will also frequently be controversy about whether a particular feature is really harmful to the environment or not. However, the assessment will encompass all aspects of a product from production through packaging and use to disposal. The different criteria for this is as follows and all this have to be kept in mind at the project inception stage itself.

Criteria are as follows :

• Productions process, including source of raw materials
• Wise use of natural resources
• Likely impact on the environment
• Energy conservation in product
• Effect & extent of waste arising from the production process
• Utilization of waste and recycled materials
• Suitability for recycling or packaging
• Disposal of the product and its container
• Biodegradability