How to Get EPR Certificate for your E-waste Management?

Today, the production of plastic products takes place on a massive scale globally. It is estimated that more than 5.5 million tones of plastic waste is being generated in India alone. For ensuring proper disposal and recycling of plastic waste, the Indian Government came up with the introduction of (Extended Producer’s Responsibility), abbreviated as EPR , under the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016).

The EPR (Extended Producer’s Responsibility) is vested for the producers and importers in India for disposing or recycling post-consumer E- e-waste in adherence to the plastic waste management regulations that came in the year 2016. The extended producer responsibility abbreviated as EPR entails the environmental as well as economic approach encompassing the proper e-waste disposal as well as its systematic guidelines. So, in case you are recognized as the producer, importer, or owner of a business who is working in India, making usage of plastic packaging, then you need to adhere to all the guidelines that are being listed under EPR rules & seek EPR registration, despite the scale/ overall turnover of your unique business operations.

What is exact meaning of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)?

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) includes the guidelines for the producers/ importers as well as the brands for the environmentally sound management of all their produced plastic packaging waste. The EPR guidelines came into existence after the amendment in the rules of Plastic Waste Management in the year 2022. So, as per these guidelines, all the businesses whether producers, importers, owners of brands as well as the processors of the e-waste are required to seek out the registration through the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB or PCC). Also, under the conditions, that when they are operating in greater than two of the states or unition territories in India, they have to seek registration with the same authority.

Why Government authorities introduced EPR ?

Owing to the soaring & alarming production of e-waste & raising environmental concerns, Governmental officials assessed the already prevailing guidelines concerning the plastic waste management regulations and concluded that all entrusting manufacturers, importers, and brand owners are being vested with this responsibility of seamlessly disposing of, treating & recycling & management of electronic waste. So, this makes it mandatory for the Indian companies that are producers, and importers of the electronic items to seek EPR certification.

Thus, the new EPR guidelines that are being introduced under the Plastic Waste Management Regime seek to ensure the below-mentioned points:

• Better management of e-waste toward source.
• Emphasis on manufacturing environmentally friendly products.
• Disposal, recycling & management of e-waste seamlessly.

Read Also This - Challenges Of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) For Plastic Waste In India

Objective of EPR

The main objective of this legal framework is to make sure that all the producers hold their responsibility of the environmental impact of products all throughout their life cycle. This makes not only the Government as well as taxpayers responsible but also the producers accountable for the impact of their products on the environment.

What are advantages of acquiring EPR certification

• Improved market reputation due to the commitment of the organization to reduce & recycle e-waste.
• Adherence to seamless disposal, and recycling of e-waste with access to the framework for ensuring proper e-waste management with minimum capital utilization.
• Facilitating better connections with the allied authorities for seamless handling &management of e-waste.
• Increased credibility in the global market.

Categories of EPR Certification

1. EPR certification for battery waste management.
2. EPR registration for Waste Tyres Management.
3. EPR certification for Used oil management.

What all products are covered within EPR Registration?

• Telecommunication & IT products.
• Photovoltaic panels as well as consumer electronics.
• Electrical & electronic equipment of both large & small sizes.
• All implanted/ infected items (exclusion of the ones used in medical equipment).
• Materials utilized in laboratory equipment require EPR registration.
• Items used to package several layers of plastic.

Read Also This - Is EPR mandatory in India

What classes of plastic packaging are covered under EPR?

The EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is applicable to the classes of plastic packaging mentioned below:

Category 1: Rigid plastic packaging.

Category 2: Flexible plastic packaging (Either single or multilayer). This also has the inclusion of multiple layers with varied plastic categories.

Category 3: Plastic Packaging with multi-layer where there is a minimum of a single layer of plastic or embedded with a single layer of non-plastic material.

Category 4: Sheets made up of plastic or the ones that are utilized for conducting packaging and also in plastic bags (compostable).

Core Responsibilities of producers/importers/business owners

All entities operating in India are utilizing plastic packaging as one of their core activities, and are subjected to Extended Producer’s Responsibility. Thus, it is mandatory for such businesses to file for EPR registration and ensure to meet the obligations that are mentioned below:

• Use of recycled material.
• Disposal of obsolete items.
• Participation in collection of plastic as well as recovery(optional).
• The annual reports of the previous year’s registration.
• period is required to be filed towards the end of June every year.
• Submit proof of certification (plastic credits).

Who all entities can register for EPR certificate?

• Producer.
• Importer.
• Owner of brand.
• Any Plastic Waste Processing business.
• Requisite documents for EPR registration.
• Proof of address of producers/manufacturers/brand owners.
• GST certification copy mentioning the business address.
• Copy of required documents.
• Details of products.
• DIC Registration document (in case your entity is registered).
• Procedure flow diagrams (meant for producers as well as Plastic waste processing units only).
• Consent from PCC or SPCB.
• Company’s CIN.
• Scanned signature copies of authorized individuals.
• IEC certificate (in case of the importer).
• ROHS Compliance Paperwork.

Read Also This - Register EPR Online for Plastic & E-Waste: Steps to Get Certified

What is right way to apply for EPR certification?

• First of all, you are required to file an application form.
• Mentioned waste generation information.
• Information about devised strategy in order to adhere to EPR obligations.
• Filled application form, with all needed documents attached.
• Apart from that, there may also be additional documents required.

Apart from the essentials listed above, applicants may come across some other issues while applying for EPR registration. In such a situation, an applicant can take the assistance of a professional compliance service provider.

Steps for EPR registration in India

In order to achieve a smooth & streamlined procedure, each & every firm should be in a position to gain a thorough understanding of the basic steps that are involved in acquiring EPR certifications:

Understand precise needs

The CPCB board comes up with clear indications about the requirement of all documentation as well as information. So, the applicant must understand all precise requirements before initiating the registration procedure.

Gathering information

Since the regulatory authorities are very strict & also serious about the implementation of EPR, and also about accepting applications meeting the desired criteria and thus, the applicant should carefully collect all information mentioned on the official website & make sure that all information shared holds true. In case of providing false information & any consistencies in this regard, there can be the rejection of your application.

Filing application online

This is the first step where the producer/dismantler or recycler needs to apply online to the CPCB (Central pollution board) as well as the state pollution board authorities. The application can also be submitted through the filling of Form I (hard copy) & also all requisite paperwork. Make sure to cross-check your application as well as all other submitted documents before making its submission to the concerned authorities.

Verification of application form

The two authorities CPCB as well as the State Pollution Control Board assess as well as conduct verification of the application form along with all submitted documentation. This takes place within a time period of 25 days from the date of the receipt of the application.

EPR authorization

Once the CPCB as well as the state pollution boards is satisfied with your application form, and documentation along with your submitted producer responsibility plan, you are granted EPR authorization in form I. This takes place within four months of the date of receipt of the application. The board then issues EPR certification, which has validity for 5 years.

Validity & Renewal of EPR licensing

A new EPR certification holds validity for a single year. Once renewed, the licensing has validity for 3 years’ time.

Once the time reaches four months before the expiry of your EPR registration, producers/ importers/ business owners are required to fill renewal application.

Read Also This - Guide To Getting EPR Certification Online | Steps & Documents

What is the protocol for registration or cancellation of EPR certificate?

The cancellation of the EPR licensing is done by the concerned authorities under the following circumstances mentioned below:

• Under the condition of misleading information/ paperwork.
• If the producer/ importer violates any of the plastic waste management regulations (2016).
• In case the producer/ importer or brand owner is found dealing with any of the unauthorized/ unregistered agency.
• It is mandatory for the applicant for fulfilling the EPR target (both yearly as well as category-wise) which is already mentioned in the registry certification.