EPR Authorisation for Plastic and E-Waste Management 

EPR REGISTRATION for Plastic Waste Management: Plastic products have become an essential part of our daily lives. It is produced on a massive scale all over the world. Plastic waste is generated at approximately 5.6 million tonnes per annum (TPA) in India. Its disposal is a significant issue. Recycling is a good way to reuse plastic products but finding a way to eliminate plastic is important.

To ensure the processing of plastic packaging waste, the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) regime is being implemented in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. According to which, Producers, importers, and brand owners are responsible for ensuring that their plastic packaging waste is processed through recycling, re-use, or end-of-life disposal.

PIBO refers to producer, importer and brandowners. If you identify as a PIBO and have operations in India that include the use of plastic packaging, you fall under the obligation of EPR regardless of your turnover or scale of operations.

Extended Producers Responsibility means the responsibilities of Producers for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging is the responsibility of Producers, Importers & Brand Owners for the management of their plastic packaging waste.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India, notified an amendment to the PWM Rules on February 16, 2022, according to which producers, importers, brand owners (PIBOs), and Plastic Waste Processors shall comply with Extended Producer Responsibility as per Guidelines given in Schedule II of PWM Rules.

According to EPR guidelines for plastic packaging, Producers, Importers, Brand-Owners, and Plastic Waste processors shall have to register through the centralized online EPR portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). PIBOs shall have to obtain EPR Registration for Plastic Waste Management from CPCB.

PIBOs that operate in one or two states/UTs are required to register with the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB/PCC). PIBOs that operate in more than two states/UTs are required to register with CPCB.

PIBOs are required to ensure that plastic waste is processed through Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) in accordance with an action plan in order to meet assigned EPR targets. They shall obtain a PWP certificate based on the amount of plastic waste processed by PWPs and use these certificates to meet their EPR targets. If any PIBO fails to comply with PWM rules, environmental compensation will be imposed, as well as disciplinary action.

The following entities shall register for EPR registration certificate on the centralized EPR portal developed by CPCB:

1. Producer
2. Importer
3. Brand owner
4. Plastic Waste Processor engaged in (a) recycling, (b) waste to energy, (c) waste to oil, and (d) industrial composting.

Responsibilities of PIBOs:

PIBO are responsible to 

1. Register at EPR Portal
2. Submit their Action plan
3. Fulfill obligations for:
   • Recycling
   • Use of Recycled content
   • Reuse
   • End of life disposal
   • Optional engagement in collection and recovery of the plastics
   • Submit annual returns
   • Provide proof of certificates (Plastic credits)

PIBOs can work with PROs (Producer Responsibility Organisation) or other agencies separately to meet their target, but reporting and responsibility for meeting those obligation is entirely of PIBO.

According to the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, it will be illegal to manufacture, import, stock, sell, distribute or use identified single-use plastic products from July 1, 2022.

The list of Single-Use Plastic (SUP) items that will be prohibited from 1st July 2022 are as follows:

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) applies to the following plastic packaging categories:

Category I: Rigid plastic packaging

Category II: Single-layer or multilayer flexible plastic packaging (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets or similar and covers made of plastic sheets, carry bags, plastic sachets or pouches

Category III: Multi-layered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic)

Category IV: Plastic sheet or like used for packaging as well as compostable plastic carry bags

To obtain EPR for Plastic Waste Management, PIBOs shall submit an online application along with the necessary information, documents, and application fees.

The process of EPR Registration are as follows:

1. Documentation: Before filling out the application form, make sure you have a copy of the all-relevant documents in pdf, jpg, or png file formats on hand.
2. Registration for login credentials: The application process begins with self-registration on the centralized portal to obtain login credentials, followed by application filling.
3. Submission of application: After self-registration, the Applicant will receive credentials for login to file the Application form. Separate application pages have been designed for Producers, Brand owners, and Importers. The Applicant shall fill section-wise information and upload all relevant documents for EPR Registration.
4. Submission of application fee: The Applicant shall pay the application fees along with the application for Registration. The fees shall be paid online using the payment gateway integrated on the portal.
5. Processing of application: If the PIBOs operate in one or two states, Online applications filed by PIBOs will be transferred to the concerned SPCBs/PCCs on the same portal for further processing. CPCB will process the remaining applications.
6. Grant of EPR Registration: The registration application shall be processed within 15 days by authorized officials for grant of EPR registration. If false information/documents are found to have been submitted, applications will be rejected. If application is deemed to be complete, CPCB/SPCB/PCC will issue EPR registration certificates to PIBOs using a digital signature integrated into the portal.