Bhupender Yadav (Union Environment Minister) announced the notification for the new Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022
Bhupender Yadav (Union Environment Minister) announced the notification for the new Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022
The Environment Ministry has issued comprehensive guidelines on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. This is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to end single-use plastics.
The notification of the new Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022 was announced by Mr. Yadav via social media late Thursday night. He stated that the guidelines provide a framework for strengthening the circular economy of plastic packaging and promoting alternatives to plastic.
@moefcc is following the call of PM Shri @narendramodi to eliminate single use plastics. Mr. Yadav tweeted that they have notified comprehensive guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility for plastic packaging.
The guidelines not only provide a framework that will strengthen the circular economy for plastic packaging waste but also encourage the development and use of new plastics. In the tweet, Mr. Yadav explained that they provide a roadmap for businesses in moving towards sustainable plastic packaging.
The notification states that the new guidelines will be in effect immediately.
The new rules divide plastics into 4 categories. Category 1 will include rigid plastic packaging. Category 2 will include flexible plastic packaging made up of one or more layers with different types of plastic. Plastic sheets and covers made from plastic sheet, carry bags, plastic pouches, or sachets.
Multi-layered plastic packaging will fall under category 3. Plastic sheet and like used for packaging and carry bags made of compostable materials fall under category 4.
The EPR covers plastic packaging and includes reuse, recycling, and use of recycled content. It also covers end-of-life disposal by producers, importers, and brand-owners.
The new rules require producers, importers, brand-owners and manufacturers to submit the details of recycling certificate only from registered recyclers. They also need to provide details of end-of-life disposal quantities. This information must be submitted by June 30, the next financial year, while filing annual returns via the online portal.
The online portal will cross-check all information provided by producers, importers, brand owners, registered plastic waste processors, and brand-owners.
If there is a difference, the lower number would be used to fulfill the EPR obligation of producers and importers. The certificates will be subject to verification by the Central Pollution Control Board (or State Pollution Control Board) or Pollution Control Committee, depending on the case.
The government has also called on the Central Pollution Control Board to establish an online portal that centralizes registration and filing of annual returns for producers, importers, brand-owners, plastic plastic waste processors, and brand-owners. This portal will be available by March 31.
CPCB developed an online system to allow producers, importers, and brand-owners to register and file returns. It will reflect the amount of plastic packaging material that was introduced on the market in a given financial year. It will also include details about the audit of producers, importers, brand-owners, recyclers, or other waste processors of plastic packing waste.
The portal centralised would be the single point of data for all orders and guidelines related EPR for plastic packaging under the Plastic Waste Management Rule 2016.
The new rules state that environmental compensation will be levied on the basis of polluter pays principle for producers, importers, and brand owners who fail to meet EPR targets. This is in order to protect and improve the environment and prevent, control, and reduce pollution.
Producers, importers, or brand owners will not be exempted from the obligations set forth in these guidelines by payment of environmental compensation. It stated that the unfulfilled EPR obligations from a given year will be carried forward to next year for a period three years.
According to the new notification, the government announced the establishment of a committee under the chairmanship of the CPCB chairman. This committee will be responsible for recommending measures to the environment ministry to ensure effective implementation of EPR.
The committee will monitor EPR implementations and take any necessary steps to eliminate difficulties. It stated that the committee will also be responsible for directing and supervising the online portal, including approving the pro formas and requisite forms.
The committee shall comprise of representative from concerned ministries/departments such as Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Department of Chemical and Petrochemicals; Bureau of Indian Standards, three State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees, Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), and three industry associations, and any other invitee as decided by the chairperson of the committee.
The new guidelines require that SPCBs and PCCs submit an annual report on EPR portal pertaining to its fulfilment by producers and importers. This includes plastic packaging material manufacturers and plastic waste processors in the State/Union Territory to CPCB.
The report will also be submitted for review to the state-level monitoring board established under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, It stated that the SPCB/PCC must also submit an annual report on recyclers and end-of-life disposal in the state or UT, by July 31st next year.
