Regulatory updates

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 lay down the regulatory requirements with respect to collection, segregation, processing, treatment and disposal of plastic waste in an environmentally sustainable manner. On 14 March 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (the Amendment Rules). Some of the key amendments introduced relate to:

In order to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the aforesaid instructions among the REs, RBI, vide a notification dated 27 March 2024 has stated that:

• Definitions : Rule 3 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 defines certain key terms. The Amendment Rules have issued the revised definitions of the following:

• Biodegradable plastics
• Importer
• Manufacturer
• Producer
• Seller.

• Revised conditions: Certain amendments have been introduced to Rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 with respect to conditions for manufacture, importer stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags, plastic, etc. It has now been specified that the manufacture of carry bags and other commodities would be permitted to be made from compostable or biodegradable plastics, subject to mandatory marking and labelling regulations. Also, the manufacturers of compostable or biodegradable plastic carry bags or commodities must obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before marketing or selling their products.
• New category for biodegradable plastics: A new category for biodegradable plastics (category V) has been introduced, with specific labelling requirements and separate markings to be designated.
• Annual report: The Amendment Rules have laid down the requirement of preparation of mandatory annual report by a person engaged in recycling or processing of plastic waste and its submission to the concerned local body, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or the concerned pollution control committee by 30^th April every year.
• Compliance with EPR targets: It has been specified that the manufacturers/importers must meet the minimum recycling levels for plastic packaging waste as specified in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets.

Effective Date: The Amendment Rules came into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, i.e., 14 March 2024.

To access the text of the Amendment Rules, please click here