EU Ecolabel Project

THE INDIA EXPERIENCE SO FAR

Rahul Bhajekar

Managing Director

Texanlab Laboratories Pvt Ltd

The Beginning …

Introductory Workshops in 2008

Jun 2008

/4

Awareness Programmes

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Jun 2008

/5

Training of Trainers / National Experts

Under the aegis of inWent, Sept 2009

Jun 2008

/6

Eco Labelling programmes conducted

New Delhi

Ahmedabad

Mumbai

Bangalore

Tirupur

Jun 2008

/7

New Delhi, 09 Feb 2010

12 attendees

Constructive dialogue & participation

Jun 2008

/8

Mumbai, 06 April 2010

29 participants

Mills, processors, institutes represented.

Very interactive workshop

Jun 2008

/9

Bangalore, 8 March 2010

16 participants

Good spectrum of industries represented

Mature audience – awareness high.

Jun 2008

/10

Tirupur, 10 March 2010

18 participants

Industry professionals

Good awareness

Jun 2008

/11

Ahmedabad, 30 April 2010

29 Participants

Across the supply chain

Highly interactive

Jun 2008

/12

Key Learnings

High awareness within export industry

Fragmented Indian Industry may need technical assistance to help understand individual areas.

Eco Labelling must also make economic sense

Local Government Participation is helpful

Remedial Assistance & not Penalties for falling short

Jun 2008

/13

Important Issues Raised by Participants

Are Eco Labels Trade Barriers ?

Environment Protection is an accepted philosophy.

Awareness of EU Eco Label is low in Europe itself. So why will Retailers give priority to merchandise with an Eco Label ?

Can we make more money from Labelling ?

Retailer involvement is a must.

Jun 2008

/14

Current position

Three Companies will be submitting business proposals to UNEP partner CUTS for techncial assisstance considerations :Styleman TextilesMeridian ApparelsVardhman Industries

Another company (Welspun) is applying on their own.

Jun 2008

/15

Suggestions / Points to Ponder

Popularity / Exposure of EU Eco Label versus other popular labels such as Oekotex 100.

Lack of awareness among European Retailers – no special treatment to labelled products.

Indian Government Agencies were not very encouraging to the EU Label – locally a Eco Label exists.

Jun 2008

/16

Shortcomings of the Indian Eco Label

Bureaucratic Implementation

Very wide range of product categories

Consumer awareness low

Mutual Recognition not recognized as a factor

Little or no publicity / awareness campaigns

No financial benefit for an applicant

Thank you !