Environment Ministry notifies amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (“Amendment”) to further amend the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Amendment has gained effect on 27th April, 2023.

Key Highlights:

1. The validity of the provisional certificate issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) for biodegradable plastics has been extended till 30^th June, 2024. The provisional certificate will be issued with the condition that production or import of biodegrdable plastics shall cease after the 31st day of March, 2024;
2. Rigid Plastic Packaging has been exempted from the marking and labelling requirements;
3. Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (“PIBOs”) are required to make an application in Form 1 to the concerned Authority only for the purpose of registration and not for the renewal of registration;
4. The Amendment has added a provision stating that the registration granted will be changed only on the request of Producers, Importers & Brand owners, under the existing Extended Producer Responsibility registration;
5. The last date for filing of annual returns for the financial year 2022-2023 will be 31st October, 2023 for the PIBOs and 31st July, 2023 for the Plastic Waste Processors (“PWPs”).

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

Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change