Overview
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, and the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging, notified in February 2022, make producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) responsible for the plastic packaging they put on the Indian market.
PIBOs register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on its plastic EPR portal, https://eprplastic.cpcb.gov.in, declare the packaging they place on the market by category, and meet recycling targets through EPR certificates from registered plastic waste processors. Brand owners also carry reuse and recycled-content obligations.
Who needs it
- Producers of plastic packaging material.
- Importers of plastic packaging, or of products in plastic packaging.
- Brand owners, including e-commerce sellers and marketplaces selling under their own brand.
- Plastic waste processors, who register as recyclers, co-processors or for waste-to-energy.
Packaging categories
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| I | Rigid plastic packaging |
| II | Flexible packaging, single or multilayer of different plastics, carry bags, sachets and pouches |
| III | Multilayered packaging with at least one plastic layer and one non-plastic layer |
| IV | Plastic sheets and carry bags made of compostable plastic |
Documents required
- Company incorporation documents, PAN and GST registration
- Importer-Exporter Code (for importers)
- Authorised signatory details and authorisation letter
- Packaging list by category, with weights
- Quantities of packaging placed on the market, year by year, by state
- Details of suppliers and sales channels
- Consent to establish and operate from the State Pollution Control Board (for producers)
Process
- Map packaging to categories for every product and pack size.
- Work out quantities of packaging placed on the market, by year and state.
- Register as a PIBO on the CPCB portal, upload documents and pay the fee.
- Respond to CPCB queries until the registration is granted.
- Meet targets through EPR certificates from registered processors, plus reuse and recycled content for brand owners.
- File the annual return by 30 June and keep records for audit.
Note: CPCB revises the plastic EPR guidelines, targets and environmental-compensation rates from time to time. Check the latest CPCB notices before relying on older guidance.
How Aaditech helps
Packaging data feeds plastic EPR, legal metrology labelling and LMPC registration for importers. We prepare it once and use it for each filing.
- Packaging mapping to Categories I to IV
- PIBO registration and CPCB query handling
- Target planning and certificate sourcing from registered processors
- Annual returns, with an audit-ready record set
Contact us for a plastic EPR review.
