EPR REGISTRATION FOR PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

Registering for Plastic Waste Management through EPR: Plastic products play a vital role in our daily lives and are manufactured on a large scale worldwide. In India alone, the annual generation of plastic waste amounts to approximately 5.6 million tonnes (TPA), posing a significant disposal challenge. While recycling presents a viable option for reusing plastic products, the need to find alternatives to plastic is paramount.

In order to address the management of plastic packaging waste, the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 have introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime. Under this framework, producers, importers, and brand owners are tasked with ensuring that their plastic packaging waste undergoes proper processing, whether through recycling, reuse, or appropriate end-of-life disposal methods.

If you fall into the category of a producer, importer, or brand owner (PIBO) and operate in India using plastic packaging, compliance with EPR obligations is mandatory, regardless of your business turnover or operational scale.

Exploring Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) entails the responsibility of producers for the environmentally sound management of their products throughout their lifecycle.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India, introduced an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules on February 16, 2022. This mandates that producers, importers, brand owners (PIBOs), and Plastic Waste Processors adhere to Extended Producer Responsibility as outlined in Schedule II of the PWM Rules.

As per the EPR guidelines for plastic packaging, Producers, Importers, Brand-Owners, and Plastic Waste Processors must register via the centralized online EPR portal established by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). PIBOs must secure EPR Registration for Plastic Waste Management from CPCB. PIBOs operating in one or two states/UTs must register with the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB/PCC), while those operating in more than two states/UTs must register with CPCB.

PIBOs must ensure that plastic waste is processed by Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) according to an action plan to fulfill assigned EPR targets. Failure to comply with PWM rules may result in environmental compensation and disciplinary measures.

Guidelines for EC Assessment for violation of PWM Rules 2016, CPCB

The subsequent entities are required to obtain an EPR registration certificate through the centralized EPR portal established by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

Manufacturers
Importers
Brand proprietors
Plastic Waste Processors involved in: a. Recycling b. Waste-to-energy c. Waste-to-oil d. Industrial composting

The duties of PIBOs include:

Registering on the EPR Portal
Submitting their Action plan
Meeting obligations for:
- Recycling
- Utilization of Recycled content
- Reuse
- End-of-life disposal
- Optionally engaging in the collection and recovery of plastics
- Submitting annual returns
- Providing proof of certificates (Plastic credits)

PIBOs may collaborate with PROs (Producer Responsibility Organizations) or other entities separately to achieve their targets, but they are solely responsible for reporting and fulfilling those obligations.

Government Notification for Plastic Waste Management Registration

Prohibited Single-Use Plastic Items in India

As per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules of 2021, the manufacturing, importing, stocking, selling, distributing, or usage of specified single-use plastic products will be deemed illegal starting July 1, 2022.

The catalog of Single-Use Plastic (SUP) items that will be banned from July 1, 2022, includes:

Earbuds with plastic sticks
Plastic sticks for balloons
Plastic flags
Candy sticks
Ice cream sticks
Polystyrene (Thermocol) for Decoration
Plates
Cups
Glasses
Forks
Spoons
Knives
Straws
Trays
Wrapping/packing films around sweet boxes
Invitation cards
Cigarette packets
Plastic/PVC banners less than 100 microns
Stirrers

CATEGORIES of Plastic Packaging Included in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pertains to the following types of plastic packaging:

Category I: Firm plastic packaging

Category II: Single or multiple-layer adaptable plastic packaging (comprising various plastic types), plastic sheets, covers crafted from plastic sheets, tote bags, plastic packets or pouches

Category III: Packaging made of multiple layers of plastic (with at least one layer of plastic and one layer of non-plastic material)

Category IV: Plastic sheets or similar materials utilized for packaging, including biodegradable plastic tote bags

Documents Needed for EPR Registration of PIBOs/PWPs

Required Documentation for EPR Registration of PIBOs/PWPs:

PAN, GST, CIN
IEC (for importers) of the Company
Aadhar/PAN of Authorized Person
DIC Registration (if applicable)
Process Flow Diagrams (for producers & PWPs only)
Consents issued by SPCB/PCC (if applicable)
Scanned copy of signatures of authorized persons
Covering Letter
Geo-tagged pictures of raw material storage area, production area, product dispatch area, and plant machinery (for PWPs only)
Any other relevant documents provided by the unit.

Guideline for Plastic Waste Management Registration

EPR Registration Process for PIBOs/PWPs:

To secure EPR for Plastic Waste Management, PIBOs need to complete an online application process by providing the required information, documents, and application fees.

Here's the step-by-step process for EPR Registration:

Document Preparation: Ensure you have all relevant documents in pdf, jpg, or png formats ready before starting the application.
Registration for Credentials: Begin by registering yourself on the centralized portal to acquire login credentials, followed by filling out the application form.
Application Submission: Upon self-registration, use the obtained login credentials to access the application form. Different sections are designated for Producers, Brand Owners, and Importers. Complete each section with the required information and upload necessary documents for EPR Registration.
Payment of Application Fee: Alongside the application, submit the required application fees using the integrated online payment gateway on the portal.
Application Processing: For PIBOs operating in one or two states, their online applications will be forwarded to the respective SPCBs/PCCs via the portal for further processing. Remaining applications will be processed by CPCB.
EPR Registration Approval: Authorized officials will process the registration application within 15 days. Applications containing false information or documents will be rejected. Upon verification of completeness, CPCB/SPCB/PCC will issue EPR registration certificates to PIBOs, utilizing a digital signature integrated into the portal.

Sample of a Grant Certificate for PWM

How much cost/fee for EPR Registration of PIBOs/ PWPs?

Fees for EPR Registration in Plastic Waste Management to be Paid by PIBOs/PWPs are as Follows:

Application charges for EPR registration of PIBOs

Plastic Waste Generation (TPA)	Application Fee (Rs.)
<1000	10000
1000-10000	20000
>10000	50000

B) Application Fees for EPR Registration of PWPs

Production Capacity Slab (TPA)	Proposed Processing Fees (Rs.)
<200	5000
200-2000	20000
>2000	50000

C) EPR Renewal Fees: The renewal fees will be identical to the initial registration fee for EPR.

D) Annual Processing Fees: The annual processing fees will amount to 25% of the Application Fees for EPR.

Validity, Renewal, and Cancellation of EPR Registration

A fresh registration remains valid for a period of one year, while a renewed registration extends the validity to three years. PIBOs must submit their renewal applications, complete with necessary documentation, at least four months prior to the expiration of their registration. The EPR Plastic Waste registration provided to PIBOs may face cancellation or suspension if any submitted documents are discovered to be false.

WHY USE ABSOLUTE VERITAS (AV) FOR EPR FOR PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT?

Absolute Veritas is a prominent organisation from the private sector of India primarily dealing with the Inspection, Testing, Audits, Certification of products& consulting services to various industries in India and worldwide, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and industry requirements. Offering a comprehensive range of services including product certification, testing, training, auditing, and compliance services, Absolute Veritas helps manufacturers and importers achieve higher production efficiency and quality standards.

Absolute Veritas (AV) will handle end to end pre-registration request, sample preparation, documentation, testing and application process for EPR For PWM Certification

For any questions regarding the most recent update on EPR registration for Plastic Waste Management, please reach out to us via email at cs@absoluteveritas.com

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) entail for Plastic Waste Management?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pertains to the obligations of producers regarding the environmentally responsible handling of their products throughout their lifecycle.

Who needs to register with CPCB/SPCB/PCC?

Producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) conducting operations in one or two states/UTs must register with the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB/PCC). For PIBOs operating in more than two states/UTs, registration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is mandatory.

What constitutes pre-consumer plastic packaging waste?

Pre-consumer plastic packaging waste denotes plastic packaging waste discarded or rejected during the manufacturing phase of plastic packaging.

What are the application fees for EPR Registration of Producer, Importer, and Brand Owner?

Details regarding the fees for EPR registration by PIBO/PWP are outlined earlier. For further inquiries regarding plastic waste EPR certification, reach out to Absolute Veritas.

Are PIBOs with valid registrations from CPCB/SPCB/PCC also mandated to apply on the Centralized EPR Portal?

All PIBOs must submit their applications through the Centralized EPR portal and fulfill the necessary application fee.

Who is excused from the EPR obligation?

Micro and Small category brand owners are excused from the EPR obligation. All other entities must register on the Centralized EPR portal following the EPR Guidelines.

What are the advantages of an EPR Registration certificate?

EPR Registration guarantees the management of plastic packaging waste through recycling, reuse, or proper end-of-life disposal. This is crucial as it incentivizes manufacturers to develop eco-friendly products and mitigate pollution.

How does the EPR registration procedure for Plastic waste management work?

Details about the EPR registration process for plastic waste management are outlined above. For further information regarding EPR registration for plastic packaging, reach out to Absolute Veritas.

How to obtain EPR Certification for plastic packaging?

To obtain an EPR certificate for plastic waste, you need to submit an application via the centralized EPR portal. For additional information regarding the EPR certification for plastic waste, reach out to Absolute Veritas.

What is the EPR Registration Website?

The EPR registration website is cpcbeprplastic. For additional information regarding EPR registration for plastic packaging, reach out to Absolute Veritas. Our specialists are available to help you secure your EPR Registration certificate promptly, providing comprehensive guidance throughout each stage of the process.

EPR for Plastic Waste Management