The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a notice requiring producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) of plastic packaging to complete registration on a centralized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal. This notice was published on May 13, 2024.
The EPR policy places the responsibility for managing plastic waste on producers, who are obligated to collect and recycle a specific percentage of the plastic they produce or import.
CPCB now mandates that all entities involved in the plastic packaging supply chain must register on the EPR Portal by May 31, 2024. This includes producers, importers, and brand owners (excluding those falling under the MSME category).
An initial deadline of March 31st, 2024, was set for registration. However, the portal underwent updation during March 18th-April 24th, 2024, for security enhancements, prompting this extension.
Compliance Measures:
- The CPCB has outlined compliance measures for various stakeholders:
- State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) are directed to grant or renew Consent to Operate certificates only to registered producers and plastic waste processors.
- Producers/importers and recyclers cannot sell plastic packaging or products containing recycled plastic to unregistered brand owners.
- Registration numbers must be included on the GST e-invoices for such transactions.
The notice clarifies that even if PIBOs fail to register by the deadline, their EPR obligations remain applicable for the intervening period.
Effective implementation of the EPR policy is crucial for tackling plastic waste pollution in India. A centralized registry will enhance transparency and accountability within the plastic packaging sector.
