Govt. notifies Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging
The Government notified Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging.
Notification
In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3, 6, and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, the Central Government made the following rules further to amend the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
A notification substituted the words as per guidelines specified in SCHEDULE – II for the words as per guidelines issued under these rules from time to time, in rule 9, in sub-rule (1) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The notification inserted schedule II after schedule I which provides Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging.
Central government notified that the definitions given in Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, apply until, specifically mentioned in these guidelines.
Schedule II in the rules provides various definitions such as Biodegradable plastics, Brand Owner, Carry Bags, End of Life disposal, Extended Producer Responsibility, etc.
The Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners shall have to provide the details of recycling certificate only from registered recyclers along with the details of quantity sent for end of life disposal, by 30th June of next financial year while filing annual returns on the online portal. The details provided by Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners and registered plastic waste processors will be cross-checked by the online portal. In case of difference, the lower figure would be considered towards fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility obligation of Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners. The certificates shall be subject to verification by Central Pollution Control Board or State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be.
The online system developed by Central Pollution Control Board for the registration as well as for filing of returns by Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners shall reflect the plastic packaging material introduced in the market Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners in a financial year. It shall also reflect the details regarding the audit of the Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners as well as recyclers or other waste processors of plastic packaging waste.
The State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee shall also use the centralized portal developed by Central Pollution Control Board for registration of Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners as well as recyclers/waste processors. The centralized portal would act as the single point data repository with respect to orders and guidelines related to implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rule, 2016 Producers, Importers & Brand-Owners may, if they so desire, facilitate the development of online web portal or platform.
A committee shall be constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board under chairpersonship of Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board to recommend measures to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility including amendments to Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines. The committee shall monitor the implementations of Extended Producer Responsibility and also take such measures as required for removal of difficulties. The Committee shall also be tasked with the guiding and supervision of the online portal including approval of requisite forms or pro forma.
The committee shall comprise of representative from concerned line 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 Board or Pollution Control Committee, 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.
