Sri Vijaya Puram, November 3: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), vide the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, dated February 16, 2022, introduced the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging under Schedule II of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, to facilitate the implementation of the EPR framework for plastic packaging.
In this regard, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reiterated the mandatory registration requirements under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, for entities covered under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for plastic packaging.
Accordingly, all concerned entities operating in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been told that the following categories are required to register on the Common EPR Portal developed by CPCB, wherever applicable: Producers (P), including micro and small enterprises; Importers (I) of plastic packaging and plastic raw materials; Brand Owners (BO); Manufacturers (M) of plastic raw materials and items made from compostable or biodegradable plastics; Sellers (S) covered under the applicable provisions; and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) engaged in recycling, waste-to-energy, waste-to-oil and industrial composting.
All the above entities shall obtain the requisite registration without delay. Entities required to register shall not carry out business without such registration.
CPCB has also announced the strengthening of transaction-based reporting on the Portal. The recording of purchase and sale transactions involving unregistered entities shall be discontinued, except for transactions involving micro and small Brand Owners and PWP-related transactions, as applicable.
All concerned entities are therefore advised to register immediately on the Common EPR Portal, wherever applicable; ensure that transactions relating to plastic packaging and plastic waste comply with the applicable regulatory requirements and are duly reported on the Portal; ensure that their unregistered suppliers and buyers, wherever applicable, obtain the requisite registration; and fulfil applicable EPR targets, transaction-reporting requirements and annual return-filing obligations.
Non-compliance shall attract appropriate action under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended.
