What is EPR in Plastic Waste Management?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is defined in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. These rules require plastic waste generators to minimize waste generation, avoid littering, ensure segregated storage of waste at the source, and hand over segregated waste in compliance with the rules.
Categories of Plastic Packaging Under EPR
| Category I Rigid package plastic  | Category II Flexible plastic packaging of single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic)  |
| Category III Multilayered 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 carry bags made of compostable plastics  |
Which Entities Must Register on the CPCB Centralized Portal?
The following entities must register on the CPCB centralized portal:
i. Producers (P) of plastic packaging.
ii. Importers (I) of plastic packaging and/or plastic packaging of imported products.
iii. Brand Owners (BO) including online platforms/marketplaces and supermarkets/retail chains, except those classified as micro and small enterprises by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
iv. Plastic Waste Processors engaged in recycling, waste-to-energy, waste-to-oil, and industrial composting.
Responsibilities of PIBOs
PIBO stands for Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners. Any PIBO operating in India using plastic packaging must:
i. Register at the EPR Portal
ii. Fulfill obligations such as recycling, using recycled content, reuse, end-of-life disposal, and optional engagement in collection and recovery of plastics
iii. Submit annual reports by June 30 of the following year
iv. Provide proof of compliance through certificates (Plastic credits)
Process to Register, Comply, and Obtain EPR Certificate
Step 1: Register at CPCB/SPCB by submitting relevant documents, including KYC, action plan, agreements, certificates, and licenses.
Step 2: The authorized waste management agency will collect the agreed volume of post-consumer plastic waste within one year and recycle or dispose of it safely as per CPCB/SPCB guidelines.
Step 3: The waste collection agency will provide relevant documents as proof of waste collection activities.
Step 4: The agency will submit quarterly reports to CPCB on behalf of PIBOs.
Step 5: After completing the activities, the final report will be submitted by the agency to PIBOs annually.
Validity of Licenses
i. Fresh registration is valid for one year.
ii. Renewed registration is valid for three years.
Timeline for EPR Registration
Registration process: 2 weeks
Application Fees for Registration of PIBOs
| Sl No. | Plastic Waste Generation Slab (Tons Per Annum) | Proposed Processing Fees |
| 1 | Less than 1000 | INR 10,000 |
| 2 | Between 1000-10,000 | INR 20,000 |
| 3 | More than 10,000 | INR 50,000 |
Fees for renewal are the same as the registration fee.
25% of the application fee is to be paid as annual processing fees at the time of filing annual returns.
