The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced few changes in the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules.
Among the changes made in the rules, here are the key ones:
The definition of “importers” has been made precise. Previously, an importer meant an individual (or unit) who imported plastic packaging, multilayer packaging, or plastic sheet. Now, an “importer” shall be an individual who imports any plastic packaging, or commodity packaging, including in the form of resin, pillets, or intermediate materials.
Previously, the term “manufacturer” meant a person, unit, or agency engaged in the role of producing plastic raw materials to be used by the producer. Now, it extends to a person who engages in the production of plastic raw material, compostable plastics, and bio-degradable plastics. Furthermore, the manufacturer of compostable plastics and bio-degradable plastic carry bags have been mandated to obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before branding or selling their product.
The definition of seller now includes any person who sells plastic raw material for producing plastic packaging. A new provision in the “Protocols for compostable and biodegradable plastic materials” reads that the BIS must specify separate colours or branding for plastic packaging and commodities made from compostable plastics/ biodegradable plastics.
