EPR (Extended Producers Responsibility) regime is under implementation in plastic waste management rules 2016, according to which it is the responsibility of producers, importers and brand owners to ensure processing of their plastic packaging waste through recycling, re-use or end of life disposal.

The EPR concept was first introduced in India in the early 2000s through the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, which placed responsibility on manufacturers, importers, and brand owners to ensure that their products and packaging are collected, segregated, and recycled. Since then, EPR has been extended to other products such as electronic waste, batteries, and packaging waste through various regulations and policies.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) India is one such initiative that aims to place responsibility on certain stakeholders for the proper disposal of plastic waste. The government issued a notification making certain amendments to the existing plastic waste management rules.

EPR Registration for Plastic Waste

The following entities are required to obtain EPR registration in India for plastic waste management with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through a centralized portal:

  • Producer
  • Importer
  • Brand Owner
  • The plastic waste processor who is engaged in
  • Recycling
  • Waste to Energy
  • Waste to oil
  • Industrial composting

These entities shall not be allowed to conduct business without obtaining EPR registration in India. After obtaining registration in a particular year, these entities will need to fulfill EPR target obligations from the next year. If an entity gets covered under more than one category above, then it shall obtain registration separately under each of the categories above.