Introduction: EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging 

The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was introduced through Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The MoEFCC notified guidelines on EPR for Plastic Packaging on 16th February 2022. Under these guidelines Producers, Importers, Brand Owners (collectively called PIBOs), and Waste Processors are obliged to fulfill their EPR targets as per the targets mentioned in the guidelines. For all the matters related to plastic waste handling and EPR, CPCB launched a centralized EPR portal for Plastic Packaging on 23rd March 2022.

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EPR Portal

This Portal will act as a single-window system for all the matters related to plastic waste handling. It consists of different modules as mentioned below:

• EPR Registration for PIBOs
• Registration of PWPs
• Trading and Settlement of EPR obligations by PIBOs
• Filing of Annual Returns by stakeholders
• Levying of Environmental Compensation
• Third-Party Audits
• Training / Capacity Building of Stakeholders

As of now the development of two modules (EPR Registration for PIBOs and Registration of PWPs) is completed to start off the implementation of EPR as per the guidelines.

Registration Process

PIBOs and Waste Processors are mandated to register themselves through this portal. They should not conduct any business without registering through the centralized portal. The Registration form consists of four parts as mentioned below:

• Part A- General Information
• Part B- Pertaining to Liquid Effluent and Gaseous Emissions
• Part C- Pertaining to Waste
• Part D- Action Plan for the implementation of EPR for Plastic Waste Management (PWM)

Firstly, the PIBOs and Waste Processors must sign up for new registration. After the registration login credentials will be provided. These login credentials will be used for filing the application forms.

Registration of PIBOs

PIBOs should obtain certificates from Registered Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) to meet their EPR targets. If PIBOs are functioning in two states, they must take separate EPR authorization from each state.

Documents Required

• PAN, GST, CIN, IEC (for importer) of the Company
• Aadhar/ PAN of Authorized person
• DIC Registration (if unit registered with DIC)
• Process flow diagram (for producers only)
• Consents issued by SPCB/ PCC (if the unit has a production facility)
• Scanned copy of signatures of authorized persons
• Covering letter
• Document any other information that the unit wishes to provide.

If a Brand-owner is also a Producer or Importer, separate applications are to be filed.

Fees Required

The registration fees for the renewal will be the same as registration fees

At the time of filing annual returns, 25% of the application fees is to be paid as annual processing fees.

The fees are to be paid through the payment gateway integrated into the portal.

Processing of Application

• If the PIBOs are functioning in one or two states, the online filed application will be transferred to the concerned SPCBs / PCCs. The rest of the applications will be processed by CPCB.
• The registration application will be processed within 15 days.
• The registration certificate is issued online using a digital signature integrated on the portal to PIBOs by CPCB/SPCB/PCC.
• The granted registration is valid for one year and renewed registration is valid for three years.

Renewal of Registration

• The renewal application should be submitted four months before the expiry of the registration.
• PIBOs are required to file annual reports by 30th June of the following year. The renewal application will be processed only after the filing of annual reports.
• The finding of the audit reports will be considered for renewal registration of PIBO.
• The registration is renewed for three years within 15 days of receiving the complete documents.

Registration of PWPs

PWPs include recyclers, waste to energy plants including co-processing cement plants, plastic waste to oil units, and industrial composting facilities. PWPs play an important role in plastic waste management by providing the PIBOs with certificates that they can use to fulfill their EPR obligations. PWPs must register themselves with SPCBs / PCCs through the plastic portal to become eligible to generate certificates for plastic waste processing and comply with the provisions of PWM Rules, 2016.

Documents required

• PAN, GST, GIN of the Company 
• Aadhar/ PAN of Authorized person
• Process flow diagram
• Consents under Air/ Water Act & Authorization under HWM Rules issued by SPCB/ PCC
• Geo-tagged pictures of raw material storage area, production area, and product dispatch area
• Geo-tagged pictures of plant machinery
• Copy of Electricity Bill
• Copy of Analysis report of characterization of waste generated
• Copy of documents giving Occupational safety and health aspects
• Copy of document giving details of pollution control measures
• Copy of onsite /offsite Disaster management plant
• Covering letter 
• Document regarding any other information which the unit wishes to provide

Fees Required

The registration fees for the renewal will be the same as registration fees

At the time of filing annual returns, 25% of the application fees are to be paid as annual processing fees.

The fees are to be paid through the payment gateway integrated into the portal.

Processing of Application

• The online application filed by PWPs is transferred to the concerned SPCBs / PCCs through the centralized portal.
• The registration application will be processed within 15 days.
• Within 30 days of getting the Registration grant, the physical audit of PWP will be completed by the concerned SPCB / PCC. After this audit and receiving validation of its facilities PWP will be able to issue certificates to PIBOs.
• The registration certificate is issued online using a digital signature integrated on the portal to PWPs by CPCB/SPCB/PCC.
• The granted registration is valid for one year and renewed registration is valid for three years.

Renewal of Registration

• The renewal application should be submitted four months before the expiry of the registration.
• Prior to submitting the renewal application PWP must file annual reports for the intervening registration period.
• The registration is renewed for three years within 15 days of receiving the complete documents.

Applicability of the new SOPs

• The applications received after the issue of these SOPs will be filed as per the above-mentioned procedure.
• The existing registrations are to be aligned as per the new SOP within three months of the issue of these SOPs. For this purpose, the PIBOs and the PWPs must submit online applications along with the necessary documents and fees.
• The applications that are under process at SPCB / PCC must be processed on the new centralized EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging.