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

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

3. Introductory Workshops in 2008
The Beginning …
Introductory Workshops in 2008

4. Awareness Programmes
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

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

6. Eco Labelling programmes conducted
New Delhi
Ahmedabad
Mumbai
Bangalore
Tirupur

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

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

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

10. Tirupur, 10 March 2010
18 participants
Industry professionals
Good awareness

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

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

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.

14. 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.

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.

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

17. Thank you !