Ecomark Criteria Revised for Six Product Categories - Draft Notification

Ø Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings

Ø Batteries

Ø Paper Products

Ø Wood and Wood Substitutes

Ø Fire Extinguishers

Ø Coir and Coir Products

[MoEF&CC Notification G.S.R. 452(E) dated 8 June 2026]

Key Highlights

· The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Ecomark Rules, 2024 for six product categories:

1. Paints, varnishes and powder coatings

2. Batteries

3. Paper products

4. Wood and wood substitutes

5. Fire extinguishers

6. Coir and coir products.

· The draft has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Ecomark Rules, 2024. Public comments and objections can be submitted within 60 days from publication in the Gazette.

1. Paints, Varnishes and Powder Coatings

· Mandatory compliance with relevant BIS standards and environmental clearances.

· QR code on packaging specifying Ecomark criteria.

· Strict VOC limits:

o Powder coating: 0 g/l

o Water-based paints: 10 g/l

o Solvent-based paints: 200 g/l.

· Limits prescribed for heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium.

· Formaldehyde restricted to residual levels only.

· Prohibits use of:

o Benzene and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons

o PFAS, PCBs, SCCPs, PBDEs, BPA

o Halogenated solvents

o Ozone-depleting substances.

· Packaging must be recyclable/biodegradable.

· Manufacturers must meet 25% of energy needs from renewable sources and possess ISO 14001:2015 certification.

2. Batteries

· Mandatory registration under Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 and display of EPR registration number.

· Restricts mercury and cadmium content in batteries.

· Prohibits chlorine-based plastics in packaging and PVC in primary battery casings.

· Packaging must be at least 90% biodegradable or EPR-compliant.

· Lead-acid battery manufacturers must use recycled lead:

o 50% in 2024-25

o 60% in 2025-26

o 70% from 2026-27 onwards.

· Requires hazardous waste management, recycling of defective batteries, energy-efficiency measures and ISO 14001:2015 certification.

3. Paper Products

· BIS compliance and environmental approvals mandatory.

· QR code requirement for Ecomark-labelled products.

· Promotes:

o Alternative fibres and agricultural residues.

o Certified sustainable forestry sources.

o Minimum 80% recovered paper content for recycled paper products.

· Requires elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching.

· Restricts:

o PCP, PCBs and hazardous contaminants.

o PFAS/PFOA in food-contact papers.

o Optical brightening agents in food-use paper.

o Azo and benzidine-based dyes.

· Mandates fibre recovery systems, wastewater treatment, online monitoring systems (OCEMS) and lifecycle assessment (LCA).

· Requires ISO 14001:2015 certification.

4. Wood and Wood Substitute Products

· Raw materials must come from certified forests, agro-forestry sources or recycled wood streams.

· Encourages use of wood waste, bamboo and agricultural residues.

· Requires use of bio-based adhesives/resins (minimum prescribed share).

· Restricts:

o Plastics in products.

o Chlorinated termite repellents.

o Antimony oxide flame retardants.

o Excess formaldehyde, lead, cadmium and VOCs.

· Requires traceability of raw materials, waste recycling plans, LCA reporting and use of Ecomark-certified coatings.

· ISO 14001:2015 certification mandatory.

5. Fire Extinguishers

· Must comply with BIS standards and environmental regulations.

· No ozone-depleting substances (ODS) permitted.

· Manufacturers must use Ecomark-certified paints on containers.

· Halogenated plastics prohibited in containers and packaging.

· More than 90% of metal components must be recyclable.

· Heavy metals and PFAS-based fluorinated compounds prohibited in extinguishing formulations.

· ISO 14001:2015 certification required.

6. Coir and Coir Products

· Products must be made from 100% natural coir fibre/pith extracted through mechanical processes.

· Natural rubber/latex used in coir mattresses must be sourced from certified suppliers.

· Limits prescribed for:

o Pesticide residues

o Formaldehyde

o Chlorides and sulphates

o Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium.

· Prohibits azo dyes and benzidine-based dyes.

· Requires:

o 25–30% renewable energy usage.

o Rainwater harvesting systems.

o Wastewater treatment and reuse.

o Eco-friendly packaging compliant with EPR requirements.

· Product disposal and recycling information to be provided through QR codes.

Conclusion

The draft notification substantially strengthens the Ecomark eco-labelling framework by introducing stricter environmental, resource-efficiency, recyclability, chemical safety and sustainability criteria across six major product categories, while aligning Ecomark standards with circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles.