Plastic Packaging Regulations: Notification for PIBOs to Register on the Centralized EPR Portal

In a significant move towards environmental conservation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has introduced new guidelines pertaining to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging. This development comes through the fourth amendment to the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, announced on February 16, 2022.

Introduction to EPR Guidelines:

The EPR guidelines necessitate active participation from Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) in managing plastic waste responsibly. As per the guidelines, PIBOs and PWPs are mandated to register on a centralized EPR Portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to fulfill their EPR obligations.

Registration Requirements:

PIBOs operating in more than two States/Union Territories (UTs) are required to obtain registration from CPCB, while those operating in one or two States/UTs must register with the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) / Pollution Control Committee (PCC). Similarly, PWPs need to obtain registration from the respective SPCBs/PCCs.

Launch of EPR Portal:

The EPR Portal (https://eprplastic.cpcb.gov.in/#/plastic/home) was launched on April 05, 2022, and has seen active participation, with 36,230 PIBOs and 2351 PWPs already registered. However, there are still instances where PIBOs & PWPs are operating without the requisite registration, which is a violation of the provisions of PWM Rules 2016 (as amended).

Compliance and Deadline:

To address this issue, a notice has been issued to all PIBOs & PWPs, emphasizing the importance of obtaining registration from CPCB/SPCB/PCC (as applicable) in accordance with the PWM Rules, 2016. PIBOs & PWPs who have not yet applied for registration must submit a complete application on the EPR Portal by March 31, 2024. Guidance Manual and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for registration of PIBOs/PWPs, available on the EPR Portal, can be referred to for assistance.

Enforcement and Consequences:

Non-compliance with the registration requirements may lead to necessary action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including the imposition of Environmental Compensation and closure of operations. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to promoting responsible plastic waste management and fostering environmental sustainability.