Context:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified Ecomark Rules, 2024.
Ecomark Labelling:
- To promote eco-friendly products across various categories such as food, cosmetics, soaps, and electronics.
- Issued by – Bureau of Indian Standards
- Granting Criteria –
- Products must have a license or certificate of conformity with Indian Standards under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act or Quality Control Orders.
- Products must meet specified environmental criteria regarding resource consumption and environmental impacts.
- Application Process – Manufacturers apply for Ecomark through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Validity – 3 years.
- Oversight and Implementation – Managed by a Steering Committee headed by the Environment Secretary.
- Significance –
- Helps consumers make informed purchase decisions.
- Encourages manufacturers to produce environment-friendly products.
- Promotes a circular economy and prevents misleading environmental claims.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
- A statutory organisation constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- Later, was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- CPCB, along with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), are responsible for implementation of legislations relating to prevention and control of environmental pollution.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Central Water Commission
(b) Central Ground Water Board
(c) Central Ground Water Authority
(d) National Water Development Agency
Answer: (c)
