MoEFCC Drafts New EPR Rules for Packaging, Sanitary Products

 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released draft rules for implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on packaging material such as paper, glass, and metal, and sanitary products for public comments. The April 1, 2026, operative rules shall also give a further boost to the journey towards a circular economy by promoting reuse, recycling, and recovery of post-consumer waste.

Environment Protection (Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging in Paper, Glass, and Metal and Sanitary Products) Rules, 2024 are obligatory required by the brand owners, importers, and producers (PIBOs) for managing end-of-life waste of their products in a sustainable environment. The rules would also ensure virgin material extraction reduction, increase resource conservation, and create green economic growth opportunities and employment.

Salient Features of Draft Rules

Applicability
The guidelines will be applied to producers, importers, and packers putting paper, glass, metal, or sanitary packaging on the market. Waste processors handling these products will also be subject to the guidelines.

EPR Targets
PIBOs will be obligated to provide some EPR recycling and recycling content utilization in packs. Phase-down targets will be 70% by 2026-27 and increasing to 100% by 2029-30 for metal, glass, and paper packs. For sanitary products, the EPR duty will be 60% by 2026-27 and increasing to 100% by 2029-30.

Registration
All the PIBOs and all the treatment facilities of wastes shall compulsorily register on a common internet portal, which would be installed and established by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Three states or more treatment plants would be registered with CPCB, while one state or two treatment plants would be registered with SPCBs.

Recycling and End-of-Life Disposal
PIBOs should provide some packagewaste recycling and dump the remaining to end-of-life treatment facilities like waste-to-energy plants or cement kiln co-processing. Sanitary waste disposed of in registered incinerators.

Environmental Compensation
Defaulting firms shall be charged environmental compensation on the principle of the polluter pays. The compensation will be charged by CPCB or SPCBs, whichever is applicable. In case payment within a limit not exceeding three years, partial recovery of compensation shall be effected.

EPR Certificates
PIBOs can buy, sell, or acquire EPR certificates to fulfill their commitment. Additional certificates can be rolled over, utilized for settling shortfalls, or transferred to third parties.

Role of Stakeholder
Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs): Will need to register, fulfill EPR responsibilities, and submit yearly returns. They will also be allowed to carry out collection schemes such as deposit refund schemes or buy-back schemes.

Waste Processors: Should register and submit annual returns regarding the volume of waste treated. Only registered processors are entitled to issue EPR certificates.

CPCB and SPCBs: Will enforce, penalize, and ensure smooth operation of the EPR system.

Implementation and Monitoring
The web portal one-point will be employed in the application of the regulations, which would be one point for filing, registration, and EPR monitoring obligation. In addition, the CPCB shall set up a committee for enforcing monitoring of rules and proposals to suggest amendments on an as-needed basis.

Impact and Benefits
The new law of EPR will minimize packaging and cleanliness waste by far, promote green packaging concepts, and increase recycling. The law will improve the environment by creating a structured system of waste management and create technological development in recycling.

The new rules are also placed on public comments for 60 days from the date of publication of Gazette of India. The stakeholders may send their comments to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change