Sri Vijaya Puram, November 4: Businesses and other entities involved in the production, import, sale and processing of plastic packaging in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been directed to obtain mandatory registration on the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Common Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal, with authorities warning that entities covered under the regulations cannot continue their business operations without the required registration.
The directive follows a reiteration by the CPCB of registration requirements under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, which provide the regulatory framework for managing plastic packaging waste through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the EPR guidelines for plastic packaging through the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, notified on February 16, 2022. The framework places responsibility on businesses involved in plastic packaging to ensure that their obligations towards waste management are fulfilled.
The registration requirement covers several categories of entities operating in the islands, including Producers (P), Importers (I) of plastic packaging and plastic raw materials, and Brand Owners (BO). Manufacturers of plastic raw materials and products made from compostable or biodegradable plastics are also required to register, along with sellers covered under the applicable provisions.
The requirement extends to Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) engaged in recycling, waste-to-energy conversion, waste-to-oil processing and industrial composting. Micro and small enterprises are also covered under the applicable provisions, including producers and other eligible categories.
The CPCB has asked all concerned entities to complete their registration without delay and ensure that their business activities comply with the applicable provisions. The registration process is intended to bring businesses operating across the plastic packaging value chain within a common regulatory and reporting framework.
In a significant step towards tightening compliance, the CPCB has also announced stronger transaction-based reporting on the Common EPR Portal. Recording purchase and sale transactions involving unregistered entities will be discontinued, except for transactions involving micro and small Brand Owners and certain transactions related to Plastic Waste Processors, as applicable under the rules.
This change is expected to make registration an important requirement not only for individual businesses but also for their commercial dealings with suppliers and buyers. Entities covered by the regulations have therefore been advised to ensure that their business partners also obtain the necessary registration wherever applicable.
Businesses have been asked to register on the portal, ensure that transactions involving plastic packaging and plastic waste are properly recorded, fulfil their applicable EPR targets and comply with transaction-reporting and annual return-filing requirements.
The regulatory framework seeks to strengthen accountability across the plastic packaging supply chain by making producers, importers, brand owners and waste processors responsible for meeting prescribed waste management obligations.
Authorities have cautioned that failure to comply with the requirements may invite appropriate action under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended.
With the registration and reporting requirements being reiterated, businesses operating in the islands’ plastic packaging sector have been advised to review their compliance status and complete the necessary formalities to avoid regulatory action.
