Introduction to EPR Registration for Plastic Waste Management
Plastic is everywhere. It's in the packets we open, the bags we carry, and the containers on every store shelf. India generates around 5.6 million tonnes of plastic waste a year, and most of it doesn't disappear on its own — it has to be collected, sorted, and processed properly, or it ends up polluting land and water.
To deal with this, the government brought in a rule called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), part of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. In simple terms, it puts the responsibility for plastic packaging waste back on the companies that create it. If you make, import, or sell products in plastic packaging, you're expected to make sure that packaging gets collected and recycled once it's used — not just dumped.
Important: PIBO stands for Producer, Importer, and Brand Owner. If your business deals with plastic packaging in India in any of these three roles, EPR applies to you — no matter how big or small your company is.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
EPR is a concept that the company that introduces plastic packaging to the market is also responsible for what happens to it after. It doesn't end at the sale. These rules require Producers, Importers and Brand Owners to take proactive steps to manage plastic waste from their packaging.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) revised these rules on 16 February 2022, and introduced clear EPR targets for PIBOs and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) under Schedule II.
Registration is done through a single window by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Depending on the location of operation, businesses operating in one or two states register with their State Pollution Control Board (SPCB/PCC) and those with operations in more than two states register directly with CPCB.
EPR Compliance Requirements for PIBOs
PIBOs need to send their plastic waste to authorized Plastic Waste Processors, following the action plan and targets they've committed to. To prove this is happening, they collect certificates from the PWPs showing how much waste was actually processed — and these certificates are what count toward meeting the annual EPR targets.
Note: Skipping compliance isn't a small risk. Authorities can impose environmental compensation, fines, or other penalties for non-compliance.
Entities Required to Obtain EPR Registration
The following entities must register on the CPCB centralized EPR portal:
- Producer
- Importer
- Brand Owner
- PWP – Recycling
- PWP – Waste-to-Energy
- PWP – Waste-to-Oil
- PWP – Industrial Composting
Responsibilities of PIBOs
Portal Registration & Action Plan
Register on the EPR Portal and submit an approved action plan covering collection, recycling, reuse, and end-of-life disposal targets.
Meet EPR Obligations
Fulfill annual obligations for recycling, use of recycled content, reuse, and end-of-life disposal as per prescribed targets.
Annual Returns & Proof
Submit annual returns on time and provide proof of plastic credit certificates obtained from authorized Plastic Waste Processors.
PRO / Agency Partnership
PIBOs may work with Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) for waste collection and processing, but final compliance responsibility remains with the PIBO.
Banned Single-Use Plastic Items in India
As per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, the manufacture, import, stocking, sale, distribution, and use of identified single-use plastic items became prohibited from 1 July 2022.
- Earbuds with plastic sticks
- Plastic sticks for balloons
- Plastic flags
- Candy sticks
- Ice cream sticks
- Thermocol for decoration
- Plates
- Cups & Glasses
- Forks, Spoons & Knives
- Straws
- Trays
- Wrapping films (sweet boxes)
- Invitation cards
- Cigarette packets
- PVC banners below 100 microns
- Plastic stirrers
Categories of Plastic Packaging Covered Under EPR
EPR obligations apply to the following categories of plastic packaging:
Category I Rigid plastic packaging used for products across all industries and sectors.
Category II Single-layer or multilayer flexible plastic packaging, plastic sheets, carry bags, sachets, and pouches.
Category III Multi-layered plastic packaging containing at least one layer of plastic and one layer of non-plastic material.
Category IV Plastic sheets used for packaging and compostable plastic carry bags certified as per standards.
Documents Required for EPR Registration
- PAN Card
- GST Certificate
- CIN Certificate
- IEC Certificate (for Importers)
- Aadhaar / PAN of Authorized Person
- DIC Registration (if applicable)
- Process Flow Diagram (Producers & PWPs)
- Consent Certificates from SPCB/PCC
- Authorized Signatory Signature Copy
- Covering Letter
- Geo-tagged photos (raw material, production, dispatch areas)
- Any additional supporting documents
Process of EPR Registration for PIBOs/PWPs
Getting registered isn't complicated once you know the steps. Here's how it works, from gathering paperwork to receiving your certificate.
Documentation Preparation
Get your documents ready first — PDF, JPG, or PNG format all work. Most delays happen simply because a document is missing or unclear, so it's worth double-checking everything before you start.
Portal Registration
Create your login on the EPR portal. You'll need this account before you can even open the application form.
Application Submission
Fill in the form section by section and upload your documents. The form looks slightly different depending on whether you're registering as a Producer, Importer, or Brand Owner, so pick the right one.
Payment of Application Fees
Pay the registration fee online through the portal's payment gateway.
Application Processing
Where your application goes next depends on your footprint — SPCBs/PCCs handle businesses in one or two states, while CPCB handles anything larger.
Grant of EPR Registration Certificate
Once everything checks out, you get your EPR Registration Certificate through the portal. If the details submitted are wrong or misleading, the application can be rejected, so accuracy matters.
EPR Registration Fees for Plastic Waste Management
A) Application Fees for PIBOs
| Plastic Waste Generation (TPA) | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 1,000 | ₹ 10,000 |
| 1,000 – 10,000 | ₹ 20,000 |
| More than 10,000 | ₹ 50,000 |
B) Application Fees for PWPs
| Processing Capacity (TPA) | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 200 | ₹ 5,000 |
| 200 – 2,000 | ₹ 20,000 |
| More than 2,000 | ₹ 50,000 |
C) Renewal & Annual Processing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Renewal Fee | Same as initial registration fee |
| Annual Processing Fee | 25% of application fee |
* Government fee only. NewPhase service charges discussed during consultation.
Validity, Renewal & Cancellation of EPR Registration
New Registration Validity
Your first EPR Registration lasts 1 year from the date it's issued — so mark your calendar early.
Renewed Registration Validity
Once renewed, the registration is valid for 3 years. Don't wait until the last minute — file your renewal at least 4 months before it expires.
Suspension or Cancellation
If false information or invalid documents show up during a review, the authority can suspend or cancel your registration.
Need Help with Renewal?
Renewals sneak up on busy teams. NewPhase Solutions keeps track of your deadlines and handles the paperwork so your registration never lapses.
Conclusion
If your business produces, imports, or sells products in plastic packaging in India, EPR registration isn't optional — it's the law. It exists to make sure plastic packaging is actually collected, recycled, or disposed of responsibly, instead of piling up as waste.
You can't legally run a plastic packaging business in India without this registration on the CPCB portal. Getting it right also protects you from penalties and shows you're serious about sustainable practices — not just ticking a compliance box.
NewPhase Solutions handles the entire process for you — documentation, portal registration, planning, and approvals — so you can focus on running your business while we take care of the paperwork.