THE INDIA EXPERIENCE SO FAR EU Ecolabel Project THE INDIA EXPERIENCE SO FAR

Managing Director Texanlab Laboratories Pvt Ltd Rahul Bhajekar Managing Director Texanlab Laboratories Pvt Ltd

Introductory Workshops in 2008 The Beginning … Introductory Workshops in 2008

Awareness Programmes Jaipur, Rajasthan Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Training of Trainers / National Experts Under the aegis of inWent, Sept 2009

Eco Labelling programmes conducted New Delhi Ahmedabad Mumbai Bangalore Tirupur

New Delhi, 09 Feb 2010 12 attendees Constructive dialogue & participation

Mumbai, 06 April 2010 29 participants Mills, processors, institutes represented. Very interactive workshop

Bangalore, 8 March 2010 16 participants Good spectrum of industries represented Mature audience – awareness high.

Tirupur, 10 March 2010 18 participants Industry professionals Good awareness

Ahmedabad, 30 April 2010 29 Participants Across the supply chain Highly interactive

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

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.

Another company (Welspun) is applying on their own. Current position Three Companies will be submitting business proposals to UNEP partner CUTS for techncial assisstance considerations : Styleman Textiles Meridian Apparels Vardhman Industries Another company (Welspun) is applying on their own.

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.

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 !