The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has taken a significant step towards streamlining plastic waste management in India. Through the Second Amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM Rules), 2016, the ministry has paved the way for the development of an Electronic Trading and Settlement Platform for Plastic Packaging (EPRETPPP).
In furtherance to this amendment, the CPCB has published the Draft Guidelines for Authorization of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Electronic Trading & Settlement Platform for Plastic Packaging (EPRETPPP) Operator.
What is EPRETPPP?
EPRETPPP is a digital marketplace that will facilitate the trading of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates between entities involved in the plastic packaging sector.
EPR is a principle that holds producers responsible for the lifecycle of their products, including their collection and recycling after use. EPR certificates represent proof that a producer has fulfilled its Extended Producer Responsibility by collecting or processing a specific amount of plastic waste.
Functions of EPRETPPP
The EPRETPPP shall provide the platform for trading of EPR Certificates between the various registered entities in accordance with the provisions of EPR Guidelines (Schedule II of PWM Rules, 2016 as amended).
The generation and transfer of Certificates will be on the Centralized EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging (CEPRPPP) developed by CPCB as per provision of EPR Guidelines. The price discovery and trading (including financial transactions) of EPR Certificates shall be on the EPRETPPP which will be integrated with CEPRPPP. The registry of the EPR Certificates shall be maintained on the CEPRPPP.
The data (user information and certificates) from participants of CEPRPPP will flow to EPRETPPP through secured APIs and these participants would be able to trade certificates. It will be ensured that EPR certificates whose validity period has expired, will not be reflected on the Trading Platform.
The EPRETPPP shall allow direct trading between the Registered PIBOs or PWPs. No brokers to be permitted on the trading platform.
The EPRETPPP will provide transparent mechanism for price discovery of EPR Certificates. Ensure best price of EPR Certificates based on the Demand or SuppIy of EPR Certificates at any given point of time.
The EPRETPPP will have necessary provisions for funds transfer, maintaining records of the transactions and settlement of the transactions.
EPRETPPP should ensure the financial integrity of the transactions between the various entities and ensure that no financial irregularities occur on the EPR Portal.
EPRETPPPP should operate in confirmation and validate its information with CEPRPPP
Public Participation
The MoEF&CC has invited comments and suggestions on the draft guidelines for the authorization and operation of EPRETPPP. Stakeholders can submit their feedback by September 12, 2024, to contribute to the effective implementation of this initiative.
