Stricter Eco-Mark norms to affect paper and packaging sector

In a major policy push toward circularity, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially released draft amendments to the Eco-Mark Rules, 2024.

The proposed regulations aim to tighten sustainability benchmarks across several critical product categories, with a massive operational impact slated for paper and packaging manufacturers.

For an industry already navigating complex Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets, this draft framework introduces a highly structured, data-driven layer of compliance that connects manufacturing shop floors directly to consumer-facing packaging.

The smart packaging mandate

A standout feature of the new Eco-Mark framework is the mandatory integration of smart packaging into the consumer experience. To qualify for the official certification, products must comply strictly with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality guidelines and adhere entirely to national environmental and pollution control laws. Crucially, manufacturers are required to display QR-coded packaging that directly links consumers and regulators to the product’s specific environmental criteria and compliance data. This strategic shift positions packaging not just as a protective shell, but as a critical tool for digital regulatory transparency and building consumer trust.

Tightening rules across the chain

The proposed draft framework places heavy responsibility on the paper value chain, demanding strict operational changes across pulp mills and downstream converters. To unlock the official Eco-Mark status, suppliers must entirely overhaul their chemistry, input procurement, and resource footprint. On the chemical front, the draft enforces hard limits on hazardous processing chemicals and conventional elemental chlorine bleaching agents during pulp production. Raw material procurement will also face new scrutiny under mandated minimum targets for post-consumer recycled fibre and sustainably sourced pulp. Beyond raw materials, the regulation introduces resource optimisation caps that set legally binding limits on fresh water intake and megawatt-hour consumption allowed per tonne of finished paper. Finally, downstream packaging rules demand the complete elimination of halogenated polymers, such as PVC, from secondary and tertiary packaging materials to ensure everything remains strictly recyclable or biodegradable.

Why it matters for the industry

This regulatory update signals an aggressive transition toward absolute decarbonisation and resource efficiency in India's industrial sector. For paper and packaging convertors, the proposed amendments mean that sustainable sourcing can no longer be an afterthought or a marketing gimmick.

Firms that align early with these targets — particularly regarding recycled fibre adoption and transparent labelling — stand to gain a significant competitive edge as brand owners actively seek certified Eco-Mark partners to shield themselves from regulatory liability.

Call to action for stakeholders

Published in the Gazette of India on June 8, 2026, the notification opens a 60-day window for public and industry consultation. This represents a vital window for the packaging fraternity to actively shape the final technical criteria of India’s Eco-Mark certification.