Para 2.2 - Green Procurement | KartavyaDesk
Original Rule Text
8. Environmental Issues, Green Procurement, Sustainable Development Goals: a) Comply with sustainability criteria and legal requirements of environment or pollution control and other mandatory and statutory regulations or internal guidelines, if any, applicable to the goods to be purchased. b) While specifying packaging requirements in the supply of Goods/ Works/ Services, the procuring entity may emphasise packaging that has minimal impact on the environment without compromising on safety and security. c) The procuring Entity may include a requirement for the Ecomark Label to the extent feasible in their Description/ Specification of the goods being procured. The Government of India has promulgated the Ecomark Certification Rules, 2023 (hereinafter called the Ecomark Rules) for labelling environmentally friendly products that meet the approved environment criteria and to ensure environmental performance of such products w.r.t. resource efficiency, circular economy and environmental impacts, in particular the impact on climate change, the impact on nature and biodiversity, generation of waste, emissions to all environmental media, pollution through physical effects and use and release of hazardous substances, thereby supporting the principles of ‘LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)’. The objective is to encourage consumers to adopt such products and the manufacturers to transition to the production of Ecomark-certified products to promote sustainability. It shall be applicable to any product that is produced or supplied for distribution or use in the market unless otherwise excluded under the Ecomark Certification Rules. It would also prevent misleading information on the environmental aspects of products. Therefore, d) It should emphasize factors such as efficiency, optimum fuel/power consumption, use of environmentally friendly materials, reduced noise and emission levels, low maintenance cost, and so on. i) The government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) (https://beeindia.gov.in/en) on March 1, 2002, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. The Bureau initiated the Standards & Labelling Programme for equipment and appliances in 2006 to provide the consumer with an informed choice about energy saving and, thereby, the cost-saving potential of the relevant marketed product. ii) The scheme is invoked42 for 34 equipment/appliances, out of which labelling is mandatory for 11 equipment/appliances, i.e., Frost-Free Refrigerator, Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heater, Colour Television, Room Air Conditioner (RAC - Variable Speed; Fixed Speed; Cassette; Floor Standing Tower; Ceiling; Corner), TFL, LED Lamps, Distribution Transformer, Direct Cool Refrigerator, Ceiling Fan. The other appliances are presently under the voluntary labelling phase. iii) The energy efficiency labelling programs under BEE are intended to reduce the energy consumption of appliances without diminishing the services they provide to
What This Means
Para 2.2 of the Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2017, focuses on incorporating environmental considerations into government purchasing. Essentially, it mandates that when buying goods, government departments must prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. This means considering factors like energy efficiency, the use of eco-friendly materials, and minimizing pollution. The rule also encourages the use of the Ecomark label, which identifies products that meet specific environmental standards set by the government. The overall aim is to promote environmentally conscious consumption and encourage manufacturers to produce greener products, aligning with the 'LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) movement.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- •Prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility in procurement.
- •Comply with environmental regulations and internal guidelines.
- •Consider packaging with minimal environmental impact.
- •Incorporate Ecomark label requirements where feasible.
- •Emphasize energy efficiency and use of environmentally friendly materials.
Practical Example
The Ministry of Rural Development needs to purchase 500 new water pumps for a rural irrigation project. Following Para 2.2, the procurement officer, Mr. Sharma, includes specific criteria in the tender document. He specifies that the pumps must have a 5-star BEE energy efficiency rating, use biodegradable packaging, and be manufactured using recycled materials where possible. He also includes a clause giving preference to suppliers whose products have the Ecomark label. This ensures that the selected pumps are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, contributing to the project's sustainability goals and minimizing its environmental footprint.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ecomark label, and why is it important?▼
Does Para 2.2 only apply to large purchases?▼
What if Ecomark-certified products are not available for a specific item?▼
Where can I find a list of products covered under the BEE's Standards & Labelling Programme?▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 3
According to Para 2.2 of the Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2017, what should a procuring entity emphasize when specifying packaging requirements?
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