EPR Registration of Plastic Waste Management
Plastic has become an important aspect of life. It is used widely for packaging and domestic purposes. India produces about 5.6 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. The major concern is disposing of this waste safely. Recycling helps, but long-term solutions are needed to reduce plastic waste effectively.
Managing plastic waste is crucial because it harms the environment severely. To address this issue, the government introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this system, manufacturers and exporters must take responsibility for the plastic waste generated from their packaging. They must ensure proper disposal after consumer use.
If your business deals with plastic products, you must follow EPR norms. These rules apply to all business sizes—Brand Owners, Producers, and Importers, including small businesses.
Who Needs EPR Registration?
- Producers
- Importers
- Brand Owners
- Plastic waste processors involved in recycling, waste-to-energy, waste-to-oil, or industrial composting
Know Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR makes manufacturers responsible for the environmental impact of their products even after they are discarded by consumers. The goal is to prevent plastic waste from entering oceans, rivers, and landfills.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules were updated in 2022. As per these rules:
- PIBOs (Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) must register on the Centralized EPR Portal of CPCB.
- PIBOs operating in one or two states must register with the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC).
- Those operating in more than two states must register with CPCB directly.
After registration, PIBOs must ensure that certified Plastic Waste Processors dispose of their waste. They must collect certificates based on the waste processed to meet EPR targets. Failure to do so can result in penalties.
Key Responsibilities of PIBOs
- Register on the EPR portal
- Submit the action plan
- Meet targets for recycling, reuse, sourcing recycled materials, and safe disposal
- Submit annual returns
- Maintain records and certificates as compliance proof
- They may work with PROs or agencies, but legal responsibility remains with the PIBO
Prohibited Single-Use Plastic in India
Since July 1, 2022, the following single-use plastic items are banned under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021:
- Balloons sticks and earbuds with plastic stems
- Ice-cream sticks, plastic flags, and candy sticks
- Thermocol decoration items
- Plastic plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, and trays
- Plastic film used for sweet and invitation card wrapping
- Cigarette packet covers
- PVC banners under 100 microns
- Plastic stirrers
Plastic Packaging Categories Under EPR
- Category I: Rigid plastic packaging
- Category II: Flexible plastic packaging, plastic sheets, carry bags, sachets, etc.
- Category III: Non-plastic packaging with at least one plastic layer
- Category IV: Plastic carry bags and compostable plastics
Documents Required for EPR Registration
- PAN, GST, CIN
- Import Export Code (for importers)
- Aadhaar/PAN of authorised signatory
- DIC Registration (if applicable)
- Process Flow Diagram (for consumers and PWPs)
- Pollution control permits (for manufacturers)
- Authorised person's signatures
- Covering letter
- Geo-tagged photos of production/storage areas (for PWPs)
- Any additional supporting documents
EPR Registration Process
- Prepare documents: Ensure all files are in PDF, JPG, or PNG format.
- Create an account: Register on the CPCB EPR portal.
- Submit application: Fill details and upload required documents.
- Pay fees: Pay via the online payment gateway.
- Processing: SPCB/PCC handles applications for 1–2 states; CPCB handles multi-state applications.
- Approval: EPR certificate is issued within 15 days after verification.
Note: Incorrect or incomplete information may lead to application rejection.
Fees for EPR Registration
PIBOs (Based on Annual Plastic Waste Generation)
| Waste Generated (TPA) | Application Fee (₹) |
| Below 1000 | 10,000 |
| 1000 – 10,000 | 20,000 |
| Above 10,000 | 50,000 |
PWPs (Based on Production Capacity)
| Capacity (TPA) | Application Fee (₹) |
| Below 200 | 5,000 |
| 200 – 2000 | 20,000 |
| Above 2000 | 50,000 |
Renewal Fee: Same as application fee
Processing Fee: 25% of the application fee per year
Validity and Renewal
- New registration validity: 1 year
- Renewal validity: 3 years
- Renewal must be applied 4 months before expiry
- Registration may be cancelled if incorrect information is found
Conclusion
If your business deals with plastic packaging, EPR registration on the CPCB portal is mandatory. Producers, importers, brand owners, and plastic waste processors cannot operate without this compliance.
Presto Laboratories supports businesses through the entire EPR registration process. With proper registration and compliance, companies can manage plastic waste responsibly and contribute to a cleaner, sustainable India.