Eco-mark Scheme
ECOMARK CRITERIA FOR PLASTIC PRODUCTS
(The Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II-Section 3(i), No.
170, May 18, 1996)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS :
All products of plastics shall meet relevant standards of Bureau of Indian Standards
pertaining to quality, safety and performance.
The product manufacturer must produce the consent clearance as per the provisions
of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 along with the authorisation if required under
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the rules made thereunder to Bureau of
Indian Standards while applying for the ECOMARK. The manufacturers of Plastic
wares shall produce documentary evidence with respect to the compliance of
regulation under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and Drugs and Cosmetic
Act, 1940 and rules made thereunder, wherever necessary.
The product must display a list of critical ingredients in descending order of quantity
present expressed as per cent of the total. The list of such ingredients shall be
identified by Bureau of Indian Standards.
The product packaging may display in brief the criteria based on which the product
has been labelled environment friendly.
The material used for product packaging shall be recyclable or biodegradable.
It shall also be suitably mentioned that Ecomark label is applicable only to the
packaging material/package if content is not separately covered under Ecomark. It
may be stated that the Ecomark is applicable to the product or packaging material or
both.
PRODUCT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS :
Food, Pharmaceutical and Drinking Water Grade Plastic Products :
For the manufacture of these items one or more of the vigin material covered in
following Indian Standards shall be used
1. IS 10142 : 1982
2. IS 10151 : 1982
3. IS 10910 : 1984
4. IS 11434 : 1985
5. IS 11704 : 1986
6. IS 12247 : 1988
7. IS 12252 : 1987
Food, Pharmaceutical and Drinking Water Grade Plastic Products
Recycled Plastic Products:
This category includes all plastic products as further defined in the following sub-
categories :
a. Horticultural supplies.
b. Produce containers.
C. Office supplies.
d. Non-food containers.
e. Recreational equipment and furniture.
f. Construction materials.
Horticultural supplies include all implements, containers and support structures
used in gardening activities such as flower pots, garden stakes and berry trays.
Product containers include containers for agricultural produce such as eggs, fruits
and vegetables.
Office supplies include all implements, containers and support structures for use in
offices such as presentation folders, file folders and binder covers.
Non-food containers, not for holding the contents, include all containers for non-
food products such as detergent bottles, pallets, and reusable packaging
containers.
Recreational equipment and furniture include all implements and support structures
designed for the recreational market such as play ground equipment and patio
tables.
Construction materials include all materials used in the construction of structures
whether stationary or transportable, such as lumber, fencing or shingles.
The plastic products identified in sub-categories from 2.2(a) to 2.2 (e) shall apart
from fillers and reinforcing agents, be made from the minimum 90 per cent, by
weigh, of compatible plastic wastes.
Note : The manufacturer shall provide documentary evidence by way of certificate
or declaration to this effect to Bureau of Indian Standards while applying for
ECOMARK.
The plastic products identified in sub-category 2.2(f) shall apart from fillers and
reinforcing agents, be made from the minimum 60 per cent, by weight, or
compatible plastic wastes.
Note : This is specified since a higher content of recycled plastic in construction
materials is difficult to maintain. A higher content would not allow the end product to
achieve structural conformity and performance standards.
BIS is in the process of identifying standards for issuing amendments.
