Consumer Voice :: Report

Report of the Project for Comparative Testing of Consumer
Products on the Concept of Eco-Friendly
Products to Spread Awareness Among the Consumers

Comparative Testing

Objectives

How ATest Is Done

Products already Tested

(Reports Already Published in Consumer-VOICE Sep-Oct-05, Nov-Dec-05, Jan-Feb-06)

Item 1 - Brief Summary of the project

1.1 Introduction

Under the terms of reference vide MOEF’s letter no. 13(H)/2003 PL Dated 21/6/2004 the study was proposed to attain the following objectives:

1	To spread general consumer awareness through our on going comparative product testing of the existing ecomark scheme.
2	To promote the scheme on the tested products, which are still not covered under the existing ecomark scheme.
3	To make the scheme more popular and acceptable by the industry and consumer by publishing the facts and advantages by using the eco friendly products through our magazines and newspaper.
4	To emphasize manufacturers to use energy efficient/ eco friendly materials and methods for the manufacture of their products.

To achieve the above objectives, VOICE chose to verify the overall test performance of the following five products with respect to the product specific requirements of Ecomark Criteria based on the market survey conducted by VOICE.

1	Plain Copier Paper
2	Exhaust Fan (AC Ventilating fan)
3	Slimline Tabular Fluorescent Lamps
4	Dry Cell Batteries (Zinc Chloride & Alkaline Type)
5	Refined Soyabean Oil

1.2 Procedure Adopted

The most important tool of comparative testing which a consumer organisation can use to strengthen the position of the consumer was adopted. The comparative testing i.e. subjecting of different products offered for the same purpose, the results of which tests provide consumers with unbiassed information on the characteristics of these products.

In a competitive market, testing of any manufactured product is essentially aimed at determining whether it conforms to the expected quality standards, while manufacturers may have their own quality control systems. There are possibilities of varying standards of quality prevailing in the industry which may lead to confusion particularly in S. Asia, where the concept of market economy is gradually taking roots and the consumers are still not sure about the quality standards of the goods and services. Therefore Comparative Testing is a unique tool to empower consumers on rational choices on the tested products.

It may be mentioned that Comparative Testing included over one dozen processes right from development of test program, consultation with Research institutions and manufacturers, Market survey of 4 metros, finalization of brands / models in the Ombudsman committee headed by Rtd. Chief Justice of India Mr. P.N. Bhagwati; Lab testing, test results to manufacturers for their consents; evaluation of test report and publication.

Based on the above and our market survey about 10 to 12 brands of each category were purchased. The list of the brands selected for Copier Paper, Exhaust Fan, Tubular fluorescent lamps, Dry batteries and Refined Soyabean Oil with their test reports, sent by the independent laboratories are given at Annexure 1 to 5, respectively.

Next>>