A part from sizing up goods on the basis of their price tags, the Indian consumer will soon be able to compare them according to the noise they make. The National Committee for Noise Pollution Control, set up by the Central Pollution Control Board, plans to make it compulsory for manufacturers of consumer goods to label their products for the noise they make while in use.

According to M L Munjal, chairperson of the committee, products will need to be certified by an accredited laboratory for these noise labels. No limits are, however, being set for specific products in the hope that the consumer's demand for goods with the least possible decibels will force manufacturers to work in that direction. To make the buyer's understanding easier, colours may be used in place of decibel values for conveying loudness.