News Details

On June 8, 2026, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released a draft notification proposing significant revisions to India's Ecomark certification criteria for several major product categories, including paints, batteries, paper products, wood substitutes, fire extinguishers, and coir products.

The draft amendments, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Ecomark Rules, 2024, aim to strengthen environmental standards, promote sustainable manufacturing, and enhance consumer transparency. The government has invited comments, objections and suggestions within 60 days of publication in the Official Gazette before finalizing the revised norms.

Focus on Cleaner and Safer Products

Under the proposed changes, manufacturers seeking the Ecomark eco-label will be required to comply with stricter environmental and health-related criteria, in addition to existing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality requirements.

For paints, varnishes and powder coatings, the revised standards will introduce stringent limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), prohibit the use of several hazardous substances including PFAS, PCBs, BPA, organotins, and ozone-depleting chemicals, and place strict caps on heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium. The proposal also includes restrictions on certain phthalates, glycol ethers, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), and formaldehyde. Manufacturers will also be required to ensure that at least 25 percent of their energy consumption comes from renewable sources.

Battery manufacturers will face enhanced obligations related to recycling, waste management, and energy efficiency. The draft mandates registration under the Battery Waste Management Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, sets a minimum requirement for the recycled lead content in lead-acid batteries, stipulates the installation of pollution control equipment, and requires a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption, preferably through the integration of renewable energy sources.

Stronger Sustainability Requirements for Paper Industry

The proposed paper sector criteria place greater emphasis on recycled content, sustainable sourcing, and pollution prevention. Depending on the product category, manufacturers will be required to use agricultural residues, certified forest-based raw materials, or high percentages of recovered wastepaper.

The draft also proposes restrictions on chlorine-based bleaching processes, PFAS in food-contact papers, optical brightening agents in food-use papers, hazardous dyes, and alkylphenol derivatives. Paper mills will be required to install online emission monitoring systems linked to pollution control authorities, and to meet strict water and electricity consumption benchmarks.

Wood and Furniture Sector to Increase Use of Recycled Materials

For wood and wood substitute products, the government has proposed extensive requirements promoting the use of agroforestry timber, bamboo, agricultural residues, recycled wood, and industrial by-products.

The revised criteria will limit formaldehyde emissions, restrict the use of plastic in furniture, ban certain hazardous flame retardants and pesticides, and require traceability of raw materials. Manufacturers would also be required to conduct life-cycle assessments and implement plans for complete utilization or recycling of production waste.

Eco-Friendly Fire Extinguishers and Coir Products

The draft introduces environmental safeguards for fire extinguisher manufacturers, including restrictions on ozone-depleting substances, PFAS and other fluorinated organic compounds, halogenated plastics, and heavy-metal-containing extinguishing agents. More than 90 percent of the metal components used in extinguisher containers would need to be sourced from recycled materials.

Meanwhile, coir product manufacturers would be required to use 100 percent natural coir fibre and pith extracted through mechanical processes. The standards will establish strict limits for pesticides, formaldehyde, heavy metals, chlorides, and sulphates. Manufacturers would also need to source 25–30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, implement rainwater harvesting systems, and ensure wastewater treatment and reuse.

Greater Transparency Through QR Codes

A common feature across all revised product categories is the requirement for product packaging to display a QR code detailing the environmental criteria under which the product has received Ecomark certification. Manufacturers must also hold valid ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certifications and comply with all relevant pollution control and EPR regulations.

Comments Invited Within 60 Days

The Ministry states that all objections and suggestions received during the 60-day consultation period will be considered before the amendments are finalized. Stakeholders, industry representatives, environmental groups, and members of the public can submit their feedback to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in New Delhi or via the designated official email address.

These proposed revisions form part of the government's broader efforts to strengthen India's eco-labelling framework, encourage sustainable production practices, reduce pollution, and help consumers to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.