Labeling requirement under Plastic waste Management Rules 2016(as Amended)

From the introduction of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, it has emerged as one of the key compliance aspects for organizations that use any kind of plastic packaging to pack and sell their products. In order to achieve sustainable growth and protect the environment, Central government introduced this rule to tackle the plastic packing waste. The Government is also making efforts to create public awareness and to fix responsibility on plastic packaging Producers Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs). To ensure better accountability of Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced marking and labelling requirements on plastic packaging through its notice dated 28.04.2025.

According to the Rule11 (1) of Plastic waste Management Rules

Each plastic packaging shall contain the following information, printed in English, namely: -

a. Name and registration certificate number for producer or importer or brand owner generated through centralized online portal specified in Schedule Il for plastic packaging, in case of, rigid plastic packaging with effect from 1 July, 2024, multilayer flexible plastic packaging having more than one layer with different types of plastics, including plastic sachet or pouches, and multi-layered plastic packaging;

b. Name and registration certificate number for producer or importer or brand owner generated through centralized online portal specified in Schedule II for plastic packaging and thickness in case of flexible plastic packaging of single layer including plastic sachet or pouches (if single layer), plastic sheets or like and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags;

c. Name and registration certificate number for producer or importer or brand owner generated through centralized online portal specified in Schedule II for plastic packaging with effect from 1 January, 2025 and number of certificate issued under clause (h) of sub-rule (4) in case of plastic sheet or like used for packaging and plastic packaging as well as carry bags commodities made of compostable plastic, as applicable;

d. Name and certificate number issued under clause (h) of sub-rule 4 in case of plastic sheet or like used for packaging and plastic packaging as well as carry bags and commodities made of biodegradable plastic.

Now, Sub Rule (1A) of Rule 11 Provides that

A producer, importer or brand owner may, with effect from 1st July, 2025, provide the information specified under sub-rule (1) as given below:

a. In a barcode or Quick Response code printed on the plastic packaging;

b. In the product information brochure;

c. Print on the plastics packaging the unique number issued under any law for the time being in force, wherein, the provisions of sub-rule (1) are required to be fulfilled before issuance of such a number

In addition to above he producer or importer or brand owner shall inform the details of publishing of a barcode or QR code, brochure or unique number to the Central Pollution Control Board. On receipt of such information Central Pollution Control Board shall publish the list of such producers, importers or brand owners, who have provided with details and the product information using any one of the above option, on its website and update the same every quarter.

However, provisions of this sub-rule shall not apply to plastic packaging covered under rule 26 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, and in respect of plastic packaging cases where it is technically not feasible to print the requisite information, as per specifications given in the Guidelines for use of Standard Mark and labelling requirements under BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme for Electronic and IT Products;

Provided further that the plastic packaging under the first proviso shall be approved by the Central Pollution Control Board;

Provided also that the relevant information in respect of plastic packaging under the first and second proviso shall be printed on the packaging that holds together individual units of goods or the individual units of packaging.

In view of the above, it is notified that all producers, importers and brand owners of plastic packaging shall fulfil the obligations as per the above provisions with effect from 1st July, 2025 and intimate the same to CPCB in the enclosed format (Annexure-I).