Importers Under Plastic Waste Management Rules: Registration and Compliances

Plastic has been a major cause of environmental concern for all nations. Plastic Waste Management Rules were introduced and were followed by a series of amendments to ensure environmentally responsible behaviour by those dealing with plastic waste. It was a significant step to keep a check on plastic waste and reduce plastic waste pollution. It also promoted the recycling of waste plastic and the establishment of proper disposal mechanisms. Let’s understand the applicability of plastic waste management rules and the associated compliances for importers.

Applicability of Plastic Waste Management Rules

The plastic waste management rules primarily become applicable to producers, importers and brand owners. They are also known as PIBO. Further, these rules also cover the local bodies (including urban local bodies), gram panchayat and waste generators. All the people and entities covered under the plastic waste management rules shall be required to follow the rules, regulations and mechanisms thereunder.

Importers have been specifically defined under these rules as a person who imports plastic packaging product or products with plastic packaging or carry bags or multilayered packaging or plastic sheets or like, is under an obligation to get registered on the Centralised portal developed by Central Pollution Control Board and without which the importers are barred from carrying out any business.

While we have understood the meaning of importers under plastic waste management rules and the applicability thereof, let’s understand the importer obligations under these rules.

Importer Obligations Under Plastic Waste Management

Following are some of the major importer compliances under the plastic waste management rules:

• Half Yearly Report Submissions: The importers are required to submit their half-yearly reports about their progress on plastic waste management. Further, they shall maintain the documentary evidence in relation to the type and quantity of the plastic waste they have treated.
• Submission of Sales Details: You also need to submit the details relating to the sales to the State Pollution Control Board periodically.
• Meet Specified EPR Targets: The importers are required to meet specific EPR targets for each year. Further, the importers should provide certificates as proof of meeting importer EPR obligations only from the registered plastic waste processors.
• Credit Exchange: The importers can meet their importer EPR obligations under a category by submitting an EPR certificate from another PIBO under the same category. Also, the exchange of EPR credit between the PIBOs and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) should be as per the mechanism provided by the CPCB.
• Prohibitions: The importers should not do any business with any entity that is not registered with the centralised portal of CPCBs. Also, they should not stock, sell or distribute any of the prohibited SUP items that are listed in the plastic waste management rules.

Importer Registration Under Plastic Waste Management Rules

Importers to whom the plastic waste management rules are applicable are required to obtain importer registration through the EPR centralised portal. They need to submit the action plan along with the required documents and fulfil all the importer obligations under the plastic waste management rules. After submission of the application, the concerned SPCB / PCC /CPCB will process the application and decide on the approval or rejection thereof.

Following were the complete details relating to the importer’s obligations under the plastic waste management rules and registration requirements. In case you need any assistance relating to the importer registration under plastic waste management rules or compliances thereof, feel free to contact the ASC Group.

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