Central Pollution Control Board report on plastic waste management rules and microplastics, 26/03/2025
Reply by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in OA No 1094 of 2024 (News item titled "All Indian salt sugar brands contain microplastics reveals study" which appeared in the Business Standard, August 13, 2024).
CPCB in its report, March 26, 2025 said that the fourth amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, February 16, 2022 notified "Guidelines on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging" in the schedule II of the rules.
EPR means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life. As per these guidelines, producers, importers and brand owners and plastic waste processors shall have to register through the online centralized portal developed by the CPCB.
The manufacturers of compostable plastic or biodegradable plastic carry bags / commodities permitted under the rules, shall obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board before marketing or selling. MoEFCC has developed an action plan outlining activities related to microplastics in compliance with the NGT's directions dated March 1, 2023 which is presently under implementation by the concerned organizations including the CPCB.