CPCB issues SOP regarding Special Inspection Drives for enforcement of ban on Single Use Plastics

In furtherance to what we reported earlier (please refer to the e-mail below), the Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) for conducting Special Inspection Drives for ensuring effective implementation of Ban on Single Use Plastics as per the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and its amendments thereof.

For strict enforcement of the ban, special inspection drives are to be conducted at State/ Central level emphasizing on restricting usage of banned SUP items by the informal sector- including the street vendors, flower sellers, vegetable/fish market , wholesellers etc.

Key Highlights:
i. The SOP lays down the protocols for conduction of special inspection drive with the objective of identifying entities that are violating the ban on Single Use Plastic;
ii. The SOP mandates that inspections must be carried out for at least 4 days a month for the next 6 months ( February – July 2023) and the dates for inspection must be decided by the State Pollution Control Board (“SPCB”)/ Pollution Control Board (“PCC”) /CPCB Regional Directorate(“RD”) / CPCB head office (“HO”). Also, the element of surprise has to be ensured while scheduling the inspections;
iii. Inspections shall be carried out jointly by CPCB (Regional Directorates and Head Office) and SPCBs/ PCCs and the SPCBs/ PCCs/ CPCB RD/HO (as applicable) will be the nodal agency;
iv. The nodal agency will appoint a nodal officer for conduction of the SUP inspections. The schedule of inspection has to be communicated to the CPCB Head Office by 10th of every month and inspections have to be completed by 25th of every month;
v. The inspection drives must be carried out in Commercial Establishments (Sellers/ Users) such as Malls/Shopping Centers, Market places/ Sabji Mandis, Stockiest / distributor/ wholesaler, Local shops, Street Vendors/ Flower shops, Cinema Houses, Tourist Location, Schools, Colleges, Office Complexes, Hospitals, Railway Station, Hotel & Restaurants, Airport, Bus stand and the Industries producing banned SUP items (Producers);
vi. The SOP lays down the process of reporting of the inspection through the SUP Compliance Monitoring App;
vii. Strict Action needs to be taken against the violators which would include quantity of SUP items seized, issuing of challans, imposition of fine and environmental compensation, closure and cancellation of unit or commercial business;
A Copy of the Notification is linked below for your ease of reference.

Source: Central Pollution Control Board