What are the general principles that ECO product uses to determine whether a product is eco friendly?

In general, products should meet as many of the following criteria as possible:Be less polluting & minimize wasteMaximize the use of bio?based or recycled materialsConserve energy and water & are made from renewable materialsAre compostable, or biodegradableProduce fewer polluting by? products and safety hazards during use and disposal than competing products

ECO-MARK CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING

5 min read

07 Sep 2026

INTRODUCTION

There has been a lot of discussion about educating industries about environmental challenges. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) issues the ECO-MARK as a certification mark for products that are environmentally friendly and meet the BIS's standards. The scheme was initially implemented in 1991. It is entirely voluntary and aids in the identification of environmentally friendly products on the market. Food, medications, chemicals, electrical goods, paper, lubricating oils, packing materials, and other items are all covered by the mark. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is in charge of the ECO-MARK scheme.

The ECO-MARK logo, which may be found on products manufactured all over India, complies with environmental sustainability criteria. The fundamental requirement for this type of symbol is to improve change across society. The presence of this logo on items would ensure that sustainable development is widely distributed across society.

PRODUCTS UNDER ECO-MARK

This design label would be attached to both consumer and industrial products. This logo would appear on industrially produced consumables such as lubricants. This label may be on the following products-

Soaps and Detergents
Paints
Paper
Plastics
Cosmetics
Textiles
Batteries
Leather
Drugs
Pesticides
Wood Substitutes
Propellants and Aerosols
Foods Preservatives and Additives
Electrical and Electronics Goods
Packing/Packaging Materials
Lubricating Oils
Food Items (edible oils - including Vanaspati, Tea, and Coffee)

OBJECTIVES OF THE ECO-MARK

The Objective of ECO-MARK is to spread awareness to reduce the number of emissions in the country. Apart from this, the labeling would ensure that ecological measures are followed. Ensuring that standards related to sustainability are maintained is one of the main objectives of securing labeling. However, for the manufacturer, the following objectives are listed:

Manufacturer's Incentives
Reduce the impact on the environment
Make certain that consumers are accountable
Encourage citizens to purchase high-quality goods
Improve the environment's quality

Procedure for ECO-MARK Certification

Compared to other regulatory compliance in India, The ECO-MARK certification has quite an easy and simple procedure. The process to obtain the license to use the Eco Mark is as follow:

Submission of Application- First and foremost, the manufacturer must submit an application to obtain this label for their products. The application must be completed in the prescribed format and accompanied by payment of the cost.
Preliminary Inspection- The inspection of the premises will be carried out. One of the primary reasons for conducting inspections is to examine the various types of facilities and procedures used in the industry.
Sample drawn for Testing- BIS personnel draw samples for factory testing and independent testing to see if the product meets the specifications' requirements, including the Eco Mark requirements.
Verification of Test Report- The preliminary inspection (PI) report, independent test results of samples taken during the PI, and acceptance of the STI and marking fee schedule are all checked at the appropriate level within the Bureau.
Grant of License- A license is granted by the BIS authority if all paperwork is complete and declared good, allowing the unit to use the Bureau's standard mark for a specified period. The licence is initially granted for one year, extendable for two years at a time, and is renewed annually based on the unit's performance in the preceding year.

CRITERIA OF ECO-MARK

While reviewing a product, the following important environmental considerations are taken into account:

Products made to obtain the label must emit fewer pollutants than other types of products. This would result in a reduction in CO2 emissions as well as other types of pollution.
Manufacturing products should be recyclable, renewable, and energy-efficient, effectively promoting the ideals of sustainable development throughout the environment.
Manufacturing products must contribute less to environmental degradation.
Products that are created and produced must have a lower environmental impact than other types of products.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ECO-MARK

The Process of ECO-MARK certification is quite simple. The following document is required for ECO MARK Certification:

If the industry is a company, then Certificate of Incorporation.
Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
Environmental clearance certificate from the concerned State Pollution Control Board.
Formal consent in writing regarding the acceptance of the Scheme of Testing and Inspection (STI).
Product Details and Catalogue.
Details and Information Obtained from the Lab.
NABL Accreditation
Samples information
Separate Application for All types of products.

FEES REQUIRED FOR ECO-MARK

The following fees are required to be paid to the Bureau of Indian Standards for obtaining the Eco-Mark:

Non-refundable Application fee of Rs.500/= per application.
The Testing fee charged by independent laboratories for samples taken prior to the grant of a license.
Annual license fee at the rate of Rs.500/= per license.
A Renewal Application fee of Rs.300/= per application is charged when the license is due for renewal.
Marking fee, depending upon the volume of the annual production

'Aleph INDIA' is one of the world's leading consulting businesses and a dependable service provider specializing in ECO-MARK, ISI Certification Services, FMCS Consultancy, NABL Accreditation Consultancy, TEC Certification, BIS CRS Scheme for Electronics & IT Goods, and WPC License. The Bureau of Industrial Standards is the primary regulating entity or body for obtaining ECO-MARK certification. The entire certification procedure typically takes 25 days. Our skilled team will assist you at every step of the way to ensure that everything is completed smoothly and within the time period specified.

TABLE OF CONTENT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

The ECO-MARK, also known as the ECO MARK or the ECO Label, certifies that a product meets the mark's and label's requirements. The term "ECO" refers to products that are friendly to the environment. All products that meet the ECO-MARK criteria will bear the ECO-MARK certification symbol.

An ECO label is a voluntary environmental performance certificate that is awarded to products and services. These products and services have to meet specific, identified criteria depending on the product groups, which reduce overall environmental impact. Use of the label indicates overall environmental prefer ability within a particular product category based on life cycle assessment. ECO labeling schemes have been widely used worldwide since the late 1970's and each country has its own ECO labeling scheme with logo.

To spread awareness to reduce the amount of emissions in the country. Apart from this the labeling would ensure that ecological measures are followed.

No separate labeling requirements have to be got for all products.

First and foremost the applicant has to secure the license for affixing the label on the products.

To ensure that standards related to sustainability are maintained is one of the main importance of securing the labeling.

The main authority is the bureau of Indian standards.

Environmentally friendly products are those that best meet the aims of environmentally responsible management (i.e., using resources efficiently and minimizing chemical contamination).

ECO products have a lower environmental impact in comparison to conventional products.

Not necessarily. Some have been manufactured for less than the cost of conventional products, some for more, so in general the price should not be substantially different.

In general, products should meet as many of the following criteria as possible:

Be less polluting & minimize waste
Maximize the use of bio?based or recycled materials
Conserve energy and water & are made from renewable materials
Are compostable, or biodegradable
Produce fewer polluting by? products and safety hazards during use and disposal than competing products

Life cycle analysis is an important factor in producing sustainable product. It should be constantly environmental friendly during its entire life. That is, from the moment the raw materials are extracted to the moment the final product is disposed of, there must be no permanent damage to the environment.

Competent bodies across the world play a central role in the work of the ECO label scheme (http://cercenvis.nic.in/) and are the first point of contact for applicants. They specifically assess applications and award the Eco label to products that meet the criteria set for them. As such, they are responsible for ensuring that the verification process is carried out in a consistent, neutral and reliable manner by a party independent from the operator being verified, based on international or national standards and procedures concerning bodies operating product? certification schemes.

In India, Central Pollution Control Board Ministry of Environment and Forest launched the ECO labeling scheme known as 'ECOMARK' http://www.cpcb.nic.in/Eco_Label in 1991 for easy identification of environment friendly products.

First you have a look at the different product groups www.cpcb.nic.in/criteria_ecomark.php which are currently covered by Eco Mark scheme. Have a look at the associated criteria document and the application manual for your product group. For a short overview of the criteria, you can also have a look at the factsheets in this section.

Producers, manufacturers, importers, and service providers placing their products and/or services on the market can all apply for the ECO label.

Logo is an earthen pot. It is because it 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 characterizes the eco-system.

The purpose of the ECO label is to make the consumer's choice in favor of your product easy. This holds true for business purchasers, as well as shoppers. It makes easy for you to sell your products. It's not an environmental label for industry by industry. The scheme involves compliance checks, as well as independent verification, and is trusted by consumers. In addition, the ECO label adds value to your business and your products because it enhances reputation, indicates corporate social responsibility and increases sales. How do consumers recognize products and services awarded the ECO label? There are many authentic ECO labeling Schemes run by voluntary and government organizations. Once approved for an ECO label, the producer can place the ECO label logo anywhere on the product and packaging.

"Green washing" is the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service or technology.

With environmental claims on products being so common, it can be difficult to tell the difference between "green washing" and reliable claims. ECO labeled products and services can be trusted because, from production to use and disposal, they have been assessed to reduce their environmental impact. Scientifically sound criteria are developed in a transparent way involving scientists, NGOs and stakeholders to enable consumers to make environmentally responsible choices. The ECO label is moreover awarded by independent third-party organizations.

The ECO label logo is a guarantee to consumers that the product they are considering for purchase has a lower environmental impact in comparison to similar products on the market. By buying such products, consumers are making a commitment to the future of the environment. This is because products have to follow tough criteria before they receive the ECO label. By purchasing these products, consumers may also encourage other producers and retailers to offer ECO labeled products.

Environmental claims can be a powerful marketing tool. Companies are increasingly using environmental claims in an attempt to differentiate themselves and their products from the competition. These claims come in a wide range of forms, including statements about environmental sustainability, recycling, energy and water efficiency or impact on animals and the natural environment.

According to a recent survey in July 2013 done by Nielsen, environmental concerns among consumers are increasingly influencing their behavior at the cash register. Its Global Survey of Consumer Shopping Behavior "New Wealth New World : How and why we shop around the Globe" - which surveyed more than 29,000 internet respondents in 58 countries - shows that one in four UK consumers are choosing more environmentally-friendly products despite their higher price. In a related study also from Nielsen 17 months earlier, only 8% said they'd buy the eco-friendly option even if it was more expensive.

ECO-MARK CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING

INTRODUCTION

PRODUCTS UNDER ECO-MARK

OBJECTIVES OF THE ECO-MARK

Procedure for ECO-MARK Certification

CRITERIA OF ECO-MARK

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ECO-MARK

FEES REQUIRED FOR ECO-MARK

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