MoEFCC Proposes Stricter Ecomark Standards for Sustainable Products: A Major Step Towards Green Manufacturing.

Introduction

In a significant move to strengthen India's environmental certification framework, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a draft notification (G.S.R. 452(E)) on 8 June 2026, proposing comprehensive amendments to the Ecomark Rules, 2024. The notification seeks to revise the environmental criteria for six major product categories under the First Schedule of the Ecomark Rules, reflecting advancements in technology, environmental science, and global sustainability practices.

The proposed amendments are open for public comments for 60 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette before they are finalized. Objections or suggestions, if any, may be addressed to the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh road, New Delhi - 110003, and may be sent to e-mail id: [email protected].

Background

The Ecomark Rules, 2024, notified on 26 September 2024, established a unified eco-labelling framework to encourage environmentally responsible products in India. Under these rules, products eligible for Ecomark must:

• Conform to relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality standards.
• Comply with applicable Quality Control Orders.
• Meet specific environmental criteria prescribed in the First Schedule.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is entrusted with periodically reviewing these criteria to incorporate technological innovations, market developments, and international best practices.

The latest notification represents the first major revision of these environmental standards.

Products Covered Under the Draft Amendment

The proposed notification revises Ecomark criteria for the following six product categories:

1. Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings
2. Batteries
3. Paper Products
4. Wood and Wood Substitute Products
5. Fire Extinguishers
6. Coir and Coir Products

Each category introduces stricter sustainability benchmarks aimed at reducing pollution, promoting resource efficiency, and improving product safety.

1. Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings

The revised standards introduce one of the most comprehensive environmental criteria for coating products.

Key Provisions

The notification prescribes stringent limits on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC):

• Powder coatings: 0 g/L
• Water-based paints: 10 g/L
• Solvent-based paints: 200 g/L

Manufacturers are prohibited from intentionally adding toxic heavy metals including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium VI, arsenic, selenium, and antimony beyond specified trace limits.

Additional restrictions include prohibition or severe limitation of:

• Formaldehyde
• Benzene
• Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons
• Phthalates
• PFAS
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• Halogenated solvents
• Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEOs)
• Organotin compounds
• Harmful glycol ethers

The notification also mandates:

• QR-code based environmental disclosure
• Recyclable or biodegradable packaging
• At least 25% renewable energy usage
• Compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
• ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification
• Disclosure of critical ingredients in descending order

These measures significantly improve transparency while reducing human and environmental exposure to hazardous chemicals.

2. Batteries

The revised battery criteria emphasize circular economy principles and responsible waste management.

Major Requirements

Manufacturers must:

• Register on the CPCB Battery Waste Management EPR Portal.
• Display the EPR registration number on product labels.
• Minimize hazardous substances such as mercury and cadmium.
• Eliminate PVC in primary battery casings.
• Use biodegradable packaging or comply with Plastic Waste Management Rules.

A notable provision mandates increasing use of recycled lead in lead-acid batteries:

• FY 2024-25: 50%
• FY 2025-26: 60%
• FY 2026-27 onwards: 70%

Manufacturers must also:

• Install advanced air pollution control devices.
• Reduce energy consumption by 20%.
• Collect defective batteries for recycling.
• Submit annual EPR compliance reports.
• Maintain ISO 14001 certification.

These provisions align battery manufacturing with India's Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.

3. Paper Products

The revised standards for paper manufacturing strongly promote sustainable forestry, recycling, pollution control, and cleaner production.

Sustainable Raw Materials

Manufacturers may qualify by using:

• At least 60% agro-residue pulp, or
• At least 70% certified wood pulp, or
• At least 80% recycled paper.

The notification encourages sourcing certified timber under India's Forest and Wood Certification Scheme.

Cleaner Manufacturing

The amendments require:

• Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) or Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) bleaching.
• Strict limits on Adsorbable Organic Halides (AOX).
• Prohibition of carcinogenic biocides.
• Ban on PFAS in food-contact papers.
• Restriction on Optical Brightening Agents.
• Ban on Azo dyes and Benzidine-based dyes.

Manufacturers must also:

• Install Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).
• Reduce freshwater consumption.
• Improve energy efficiency.
• Recover process chemicals.
• Achieve high levels of hazardous waste recycling.
• Conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
• Maintain ISO 14001 certification.

The standards represent a major shift toward resource-efficient paper production.

4. Wood and Wood Substitute Products

The revised criteria promote responsible sourcing, recycled materials, and low-emission furniture manufacturing.

Sustainable Material Requirements

Different products must utilize specified proportions of:

• Agroforestry timber
• Certified forest wood
• Bamboo
• Agricultural residues
• Wood waste
• Industrial by-products
• Recycled wood

Manufacturers are encouraged to incorporate natural binders such as:

• Soy
• Lignin
• Starch
• Cardanol

Restrictions include:

• Limited use of plastics
• Ban on organophosphate termite repellents
• Ban on antimony oxide flame retardants
• Strict formaldehyde limits
• Heavy metal restrictions
• VOC controls

The notification also requires:

• Raw material traceability
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Complete waste utilization or recycling plans
• Consumer awareness initiatives
• ISO 14001 certification

These provisions support India's transition toward sustainable construction and furniture industries.

5. Fire Extinguishers

The revised environmental standards extend sustainability to fire safety products.

Key Requirements

Manufacturers must eliminate:

• Ozone-depleting substances
• PFAS
• Fluorinated organic compounds
• Heavy metal-based extinguishing agents

Additional requirements include:

• Recycled metal containers (over 90% recycled content)
• Ecomark-certified paint coatings
• Recyclable packaging
• EPR compliance
• ISO 14001 certification

The notification also prohibits halogenated plastics in product components and packaging.

6. Coir and Coir Products

The revised criteria aim to strengthen India's natural fibre industry through environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Sustainable Production

Manufacturers must:

• Use 100% natural coir fibre or pith.
• Employ mechanical extraction methods only.
• Source natural rubber from certified suppliers.
• Ensure traceability of raw materials.

The notification introduces strict limits for:

• Heavy metals
• Residual pesticides
• Formaldehyde
• Chlorides
• Sulphates
• Pentachlorophenol

Environmental management requirements include:

• Renewable energy usage of 25-30%
• Rainwater harvesting
• Effluent treatment systems
• Reuse of treated wastewater
• Prevention of open dumping
• Dust control systems
• Cleaner fuels
• Compostable or EPR-compliant packaging

End-of-life recycling instructions must be provided through QR codes.

Common Environmental Requirements Across Product Categories

Several common themes emerge across all six revised product categories:

• Mandatory compliance with relevant BIS standards.
• QR-code based environmental disclosure.
• Pollution control approvals from State Pollution Control Boards.
• Increased reliance on renewable energy.
• Recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification.
• Greater transparency in product composition.
• Promotion of life cycle assessment.
• Enhanced recycling and waste management.

These common requirements aim to standardize sustainability expectations across industries.

Significance of the Draft Notification

The proposed amendments reflect India's evolving environmental policy, which increasingly integrates product quality with lifecycle sustainability. By tightening limits on hazardous substances, encouraging renewable energy, promoting recycled materials, and requiring greater transparency, the revised Ecomark criteria seek to make eco-labelled products more credible and environmentally meaningful.

The draft also aligns India's eco-labelling framework with international sustainability trends while supporting national priorities such as resource efficiency, circular economy, pollution prevention, and responsible manufacturing.

For manufacturers, compliance may require investments in cleaner technologies, improved waste management systems, renewable energy integration, and enhanced environmental monitoring. However, these measures could also improve market competitiveness as consumer demand for environmentally certified products continues to grow.

Conclusion

The MoEFCC's draft notification dated 8 June 2026 marks a significant milestone in strengthening India's Ecomark programme. By introducing scientifically robust, technology-driven, and internationally aligned environmental criteria across six major product categories, the government aims to transform Ecomark into a more credible and effective sustainability certification.

If finalized after public consultation, these amendments will encourage industries to adopt cleaner production methods, reduce hazardous chemicals, increase recycling, improve resource efficiency, and contribute meaningfully to India's environmental protection and climate goals. The revised Ecomark standards are expected to play a crucial role in promoting sustainable consumption and fostering a greener manufacturing ecosystem across the country.

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