CPCB issues directions to SPCBs/PCCs for effective implementation of EPR framework; applicable to Producers as well

The Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) has recently issued the following directions to all State Pollution Control Boards (“SPCBs”) and Pollution Control Committees (“PCCs”) to ensure effective implementation of Guidelines of Extended Producers Responsibility (“EPR”) on Plastic Packaging:

1. An application for grant of EPR registration of Producer will be processed only upon providing the application number generated through the EPR portal as proof for grant of Consent before the concerned SPCB/PCC. Provisional EPR Registration will be valid for an initial period of 6 months and then can further be extended for a period of 6 months provided the justification for the same has been submitted by the concerned producers. It must be noted that the final EPR Registration will only be issued after submission of valid Consent to Operate (“CTO”);
2. Closure notices which are already issued in the past to Producers not having an EPR registration must be revoked with immediate effect upon submission of proof of application by such Producers and no new closure notices must be issued to Producers who have submitted the proof of application for EPR registration;
3. To ensure speedy implementation of the EPR framework, the SPCBs and PCCs are required to expedite the process of grant to CTO and CTE (Consent to Establish) to Producers of plastic packaging as well as Plastic Waste Processors without linking the grant of the same to recovery of dues;

The Directions are also applicable to all Producers and will be valid till 31th October, 2023. Further, the timeline for supplying raw material to unregistered Producers in MSME/informal sector by plastic raw material manufacturers has been extended to 30th April, 2023.

The SPCBs/PCCs are required to take necessary action for compliance with the above-mentioned directions and submit an Action taken report in this regard by 12th April, 2023.

Please note that while this document is dated 28th March, 2023, it has been recently made available on the website of CPCB.

A Copy of the Notification has been linked below for your ease of reference.

Source: Central Pollution Control Board