Today people have started looking for "Green Products" everywhere. In terms of textile products, the purchasing decision of consumers were previously based upon comfort, style, aesthetic appeal, etc, but now more on Eco-friendliness of the products. Many clothing companies have started providing clothes made from eco-friendly fabrics, and the demands for these green products are also increasing.

India is the first country that has integrated the protection and improvement of the environment in its constitution. The various environmental legislation and regulations dealing with protection and improvement of the environment are briefly listed below. There are no specific environmental laws for textile industry sector alone. However, there are industry specific standards, which the textile industry is required to comply with while setting up or operating an industrial unit. The regulatory authorities are Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at central level and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) at state level. Enforcement is done by SPCBs.


The Indian environmental legislation is very stringent but poorly enforced. Although these policies are good enough considering the Indian conditions, the standards are to be revised for the various wastes generated. As the nation lacks in expertise in the environmental sector, for revising the standards consultation from European experts become vital.


Read Full Article


Click Here to Read (Part I)


Originally publishedin the Textile Review, April, 2012