India requires new labelling requirements on plastic packaging to strengthen its plastic packaging EPR scheme

Companies have short deadline to comply with the new labelling information

India Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will soon require producers, importers and brand owners of products who use plastic packaging to include additional information on the packaging materials.

The requirements would affect flexible, hard plastic and multi-layers packaging (i.e those products listed under schedule II packaging under the Plastic Waste Management Rules).  

All packaging materials must include the name registration certificate of the responsible entity required to register under Plastic Waste Management Rules, including producer, importers, or brand owners of packaging materials or products which use plastic packaging materials. For flexible packaging, the thickness of plastic packaging must also be indicated in the case of single layer packaging, which could also include single sheets, carry bags, or other covers made of plastic sheets. The requirements extend to companies whose products are compostable or biodegradable and those already obligated to register with the CPCB from 1 January 2025. 

The information could be provided in the following methods:

• In a bar code or Quick Response (QR) code printed on the plastic packaging

• Printed in the product information brochure

• Printed in other methods to comply with other laws & requirements

Companies must also provide the CPCB with information on how companies will be complying with the information. Exemptions are only granted for cases where it is impractical or not feasible to print the requisite information because they may conflict with the compulsory registration scheme for electronic and IT products. 

Companies have a short compliance deadline and must fulfill the obligation by 1 July 2025. 

The new requirement is expected to strengthen India’s existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging. The labelling requirement will allow the agency as well as other enforcement agencies to trace the packaging back to the entity responsible for the packaging. Given the short deadline and far reaching implications, companies are advised to implement this new requirement as well as reviewing their other obligations under the EPR for plastic packaging to ensure compliance.  

More information: India CPCB’s Notice

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