On March 14, 2024, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) announced to publish the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on the Gazette of India, revising the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 with the aim of better regulating plastic raw materials and compostable or biodegradable plastics. By expanding the EPR scope, the new rules include more relevant entities to ensure effective management of plastic waste.
The entities shall be covered under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) includes producer of plastic packaging, importer of plastic packaging including intermediate material used for manufacturing plastic packaging such as films, preforms and plastic packaging of imported products, brand owners including online platforms, marketplaces, supermarkets or retail chain, plastic waste processors, manufacturer of plastic raw material, manufactures of items made from compostable plastic or biodegradable plastics.
Main amendment includes:
- Manufacturers meeting requirements will be allowed to produce compostable or biodegradable plastic products, but these products must comply with specific marking and labeling requirements aimed at ensuring compliance with regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regarding food contact applications. The BIS will be responsible for establishing unique colors or markings for such plastic packaging and products.
- Manufacturers of compostable or biodegradable plastic shopping bags or goods allowed for sale must apply to and obtain certification from the Central Pollution Control Board before listing their products.
- The local government shall take necessary measures to prevent stocking, distribution, sales and usage of prohibited single use plastic items.
- The local government shall assess the quantity of plastic waste generated within their area and estimate the quantity for the next five years by June 30 annually. Similarly, by June 30 each year, the local government must assess the infrastructure for plastic waste management, including the capacity for collection, sorting, and disposal, and report to the respective State Pollution Control Boards.
The amendment came into force on March 14, 2024. It is worth mentioning that although small and medium-sized enterprises may be exempt from EPR obligations, they still need to register on the portal and declare the category of plastic packaging they manufacture.
Further Information
Plastic Waste Management (amendment) Rules, 2024
