New Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility

New Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility

Executive Summary:

This article describes:

• • • In this article, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility is explained in simplified terms.
    • It also makes it easier to comprehend the new guidelines in layperson’s words.

Introduction:

Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on Plastic Packaging. The guidelines on extended producer responsibility, together with the prohibition of specified single-use plastic goods with low usefulness and high littering potential, which will take effect on July 1, 2022, are crucial measures toward decreasing pollution caused by littered plastic waste in the country. These newly released guidelines will encourage the development of new plastic alternatives and give a roadmap for businesses to transition to sustainable plastic packaging. Let’s take a closer look at the guidelines.

What Does “Extended Producer Responsibility” mean?

Extended producer responsibility refers to the responsibility of producers for managing the disposal of items once they have been identified as no longer usable by consumers. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) refers to a producer’s (including brand owners/importers) responsibility for the product’s environmentally sound management until it reaches the conclusion of its life cycle. In simple terms, according to the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, producers, importers, and brand owners, manufacturers are inflicted with an extra and significant obligation through these new guidelines for recycling plastic items after consumer use.

Highlights of Extended Producer Responsibility Guidelines:

• The Guidelines establish a framework for strengthening the recycling industry of plastic packaging waste, promoting the development of novel plastic alternatives, and laying out the next steps for firms to move toward sustainable plastic packaging.
• To limit the consumption of new plastic material for packaging, the standards require the reuse of hard plastic packaging material.
• The enforced need for a minimum level of recycling of plastic packaging waste collected under the EPR, as well as the usage of recycled plastic material, would reduce plastic use and encourage recycling of plastic packaging waste.
• Specifications for reuse, recycling, using recycled plastic material, and end-of-life disposal are included in the regulations. Producers, importers, brand owners, and processors of plastic garbage must promptly register on the Central Pollution Control Board’s centralised site.
• Local governments, gram panchayats, waste producers, merchants, and street sellers all have duties for managing plastic waste, according to the guidelines.

Objectives of Extended producer Responsibility:

• Environmental expenses are taken into account.
• Waste disposal has been improved.
• Disposal reduction
• Environmentally friendly product design

Implementation of the Guidelines:

EPR will be implemented via a tailored web platform that will serve as the system’s digital foundation. Through online registration and filing of yearly returns, the online platform will allow enterprises to manage and monitor their EPR obligations, as well as lessen their compliance burden. The recommendations have established a method of enterprise verification and audit in order to assure monitoring of EPR responsibilities. The Guidelines establish a framework for levying environmental compensation based on the polluter pays principle when producers, importers, and brand owners fail to meet extended producer responsibility targets, with the goal of protecting and improving the environment and preventing, controlling, and abating pollution. The monies raised will be used for ecologically friendly collection, recycling, and end-of-life disposal of unclaimed plastic garbage.

Conclusion:

The primary goal of these guidelines is to recirculate it back into a system in order to recover resources embedded in waste. The solution to India’s plastic waste concerns can be found in targeted recycling initiatives and a persistent effort to reduce consumption. Producers, importers, and brand owners are all held responsible under the new guidelines. These rules will aid in the reduction of plastic waste, which will be a significant step toward India’s goal of living a healthy and plastic-free lifestyle.

Regards,
Legal Team

Proind Business Solutions Private Limited
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No.: +91 120 4224203
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