The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 under the Environment Act. The Rules lay down standards for manufacturing and selling material (such as bags and packaging material) produced from plastic. The Rules also specify the framework for plastic waste management.
Key features of the amendments include:
▪ Biodegradable plastics: The amendments add that before marketing or selling, manufacturers/sellers of biodegradable plastics should obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Further, biodegradable plastics should conform to standards notified by Bureau of Indian Standards and certified by the CPCB. The amendments define biodegradable plastic as plastic (other than compostable plastic) that undergoes degradation by biological processes without leaving residue harmful to the environment.
▪ Environmental compensation: The amendments add that environmental compensation will be levied on persons not complying with the provisions of the Rules as per guidelines notified by CPCB.
▪ Implementations of Rules in UTs: State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Pollution Control Committee (PCC) are responsible for enforcing the Rules in UTs. The amendments adds that the Central Pollution Control Board will also be responsible for enforcing the Rules in UTs.
▪ Registration of manufacturers: Manufacturers of carry bags, recycle plastic bags, or multi layered packaging must obtain registration from the SPCB or the PCC of the UT. The amendments provide that such manufacturers will have to obtain registration from: (i) SPCB/PCC of the UT if operating in one or two states or UTs, or (ii) the CPCB, if operating in more than two states or UTs.
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