Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.

As per the latest regulations set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (The Ministry), it is now mandatory for all business organizations to obtain a license for using or dealing in plastic, whether it be in the form of packaging, carry bags, or any other form. To ensure your business stays on top, it is crucial to understand and implement ERP concepts.

Plastic Waste (PW) EPR Applicability: –

PIBO’s are covered under the EPR Obligation and Provision of the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 and its amendments

PIBO’s: – Producer, Importer & Brand Owner.

• Producer (P) means person engaged in manufacturing or import of carry bags, multi-layered packaging, Plastic Sheet or like, and includes industries or individuals using plastic sheets or like or covers made of plastic sheets or multi-layered packaging for packaging or wrapping the commodities.

• Importer (I) means a person who imports plastic packaging products or products with plastic packaging or carry bags or multi-layered packaging or plastic sheets or like.

• Brand Owners (BO) means a person or company who sells any commodities under a registered brand, label or trademark.

Categories covered under the EPR-

• Category – I: – Rigid Plastic Packaging involves utilization of plastic materials such as propylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene (PET) for packaging of new bottles and containers. These materials are durable and lightweight. The products are plastic containers with open tops and separate closures, lids, or covers. Rigid containers include glass and plastic bottles.

• Category – II: – Flexible Plastic Packaging of single layered or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets or like and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags (including carry bags made of compostable plastics), plastic sachet, Pouches, the film lids found on ready-meals, bread bags, breakfast cereal lining, crisp packets, cellophane, cling film and shrink wrap etc. LDPE (low density polyethylene) is a soft, flexible, lightweight plastic material.

• Category – III: – Multi-layered plastic packaging is defined as any material used or to be used for packaging and having at least one layer of plastic as the main ingredient in combination with one or more layers of material such as paper, paperboard, polymeric material, metalized layers or aluminium foil, either in the form of laminate or co-extruded structure. Multi-layered plastics (MLP) used for packaging by fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies

• Category – IV: – Plastic Sheets or like used for packaging as well as carry bags made of compostable plastic. Compostable plastics are derived from renewable materials like corn, potato, and tapioca starches, cellulose, soy protein, and lactic acid. Compostable plastics are non-toxic and decompose back into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass when composted. Compostable plastics are made from polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is made from dextrose, a sugar produced by plants.

Remember, complying with these regulations is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment. We are dedicated to providing continuous assistance and guidance so that you can stay ahead of the game without any hassle.