EPR Certification

An Overview of the EPR Certificate in India

Are you looking to keep your business compliant with India’s waste management regulations? Getting an EPR Certificate ensures your brand meets environmental standards while showcasing your commitment to sustainability.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), promotes recycling, reuse, and eco-friendly disposal of waste. Initially launched for e-waste, the regime now covers plastic packaging, end-of-life batteries, and used tyres.

Under CPCB guidelines, all entities handling these waste categories must register on the EPR portal and obtain EPR certificate, set recycling targets, maintain records, and file annual returns. Regular updates from CPCB make it essential for producers, importers, and brand owners to maintain EPR certification and compliance.

The EPR regime has also been extended to waste lubricating oil, effective April 2024 onwards. Over 1000 producers, importers, and brand owners secured an EPR certificate through our expert-led support.

Book your 1:1 personalized consultation for EPR certification in India.

What is an EPR Certificate?

EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), also known as Environmental Stewardship, is a regulatory framework introduced by the MoEF&CC, Government of India, that holds producers, importers, and brand owners accountable for the collection, recycling, and eco-friendly disposal of waste generated from their products. Initially applied to e-waste, the regime now covers plastic packaging, end-of-life batteries, and used tyres, with CPCB issuing category-wise guidelines for compliance.

All entities must register on the CPCB EPR portal, set recycling targets, maintain transaction records, and file annual returns. From April 2024, the EPR framework for the EPR certificate will also apply to waste lubricating oil producers.

Businesses need EPR Certification to ensure lawful recycling and disposal of waste through authorized recyclers and collection systems. Producers can meet their targets through buy-back, exchange, or deposit refund systems and must obtain EPR certificates from registered recyclers based on the quantity of waste recycled. In essence, EPR certification ensures compliance, promotes sustainable waste management, and strengthens corporate environmental responsibility.

What are the Benefits of EPR Registration Certificate?

1. Effective Waste Management: EPR registration ensures packaging waste is collected, processed, and disposed of responsibly, contributing to environmental conservation and resource efficiency.
2. Cost Management: With an EPR certificate, companies can optimize waste management practices, reduce expenses, and control long-term costs through eco-friendly product design.
3. Goodwill and Brand Image: EPR compliance enhances credibility and reputation, helping brands attract environmentally conscious customers and build goodwill.
4. Environmentally Friendly Practices: EPR promotes cleaner, greener practices by reducing pollution and encouraging sustainable waste management across the value chain.
5. Taxpayer Benefits: EPR shifts waste management costs to producers rather than taxpayers, improving financial accountability, transparency, and efficiency.
6. Promotes Sustainable Development: EPR encourages conservation of resources, reduced waste generation, and sustainable production methods, fostering long-term environmental responsibility.

What are the Types of Businesses That Require EPR Certification?

EPR Certification is a mandatory authorization from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) to ensure proper waste management. It supports a circular economy through the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Below are the key business categories that require EPR registration.

• EPR for E-Waste Management: Businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, refurbishing, or recycling Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) must obtain an EPR certificate under CPCB’s centralized EPR portal. Registered entities include Producers, Recyclers, Refurbishers, and Importers. Applicants must submit GST, PAN, CIN, IEC (if applicable), list of EEE products, and an EPR plan detailing waste collection, dismantling, and recycling processes.
• EPR for Plastic Waste Management: Entities using plastic packaging (rigid, flexible, multi-layered, or compostable) must register under CPCB’s Plastic Waste Management portal and meet annual recycling targets. Required documents include consent certificates, GST, PAN, CIN, DIC registration, MSME certificate, packaging details, production capacity, GPS location, and a disaster management plan. PIBOs operating in limited states register with the respective SPCBs/PCCs.
• EPR for Tyre Businesses: Under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2022, producers, importers, and recyclers of tyres must register with CPCB and meet EPR targets equal to the weight of tyres manufactured or imported in the previous year. Applicants must provide plant details, manufacturing data, tyre composition, and documents such as PAN, GST, CIN, IEC (for importers), and the Authorised Person’s Aadhaar.
• EPR for Battery Manufacturers and Importers: Under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, EPR registration is mandatory for producers, dealers, recyclers, and refurbishers of waste batteries. Stakeholders must register on the CPCB portal and provide GST, PAN, CIN, SPCB consents, IEC (for importers), and DIC registration (if applicable). Producers may manage recycling themselves or authorise registered recyclers.

Checklist for Obtaining EPR Registration Online

Before applying for an EPR Registration online, businesses must ensure the following:

1. Importers operating in more than two States or Union Territories must obtain EPR Authorization from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
2. Businesses operating in one or two States or Union Territories need to obtain EPR Certificate from the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) through the online portal.

Eligibility Criteria for EPR Certificate

The eligibility criteria for the EPR certificate are as follows:

• Any importers in India who are engaged in selling products with plastic packaging, including the packaging itself.
• Importers of electrical appliances, batteries, and tyres need to obtain EPR authorization.
• EPR certificate is a must for eligible importers before they legally import and sell products in India.

EPR Certification - What Will Change for Your Business?

With an EPR Certificate, businesses gain a streamlined system to manage waste responsibly while ensuring nationwide compliance. EPR Certification shifts environmental accountability to producers, helping them operate sustainably and build a strong brand reputation.

• Nationwide Compliance Simplified: Once registered under EPR, your business can operate seamlessly across India without requiring multiple waste management approvals in different states or union territories.
• Unified Waste Management Framework: EPR certification provides a centralized waste management system, reducing operational complexities and ensuring smooth compliance with CPCB and SPCB regulations.
• Shift of Responsibility to Producers: The responsibility for waste collection, recycling, and disposal shifts to producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs), holding them accountable for environmental impact.
• Cost Integration in Product Pricing: Producers can factor waste management and recycling costs into product pricing, ensuring compliance without affecting profitability.
• Encourages Recycling and Reuse: EPR promotes resource recovery by enabling producers to recycle and reuse materials, reducing costs and conserving natural resources.
• Ensures Safe Handling of Hazardous Waste: EPR certification mandates scientific, safe disposal of hazardous waste, preventing illegal dumping and protecting the environment and public health.
• Enhances Brand Credibility: Businesses with EPR certification are seen as compliant and environmentally responsible, boosting brand trust and reputation.
• Supports a Circular Economy: EPR transforms waste into valuable resources, reducing landfill burden and supporting a resource-efficient, circular economy.
• Regulatory Advantage: Staying compliant with EPR guidelines helps businesses avoid penalties or legal issues from CPCB or SPCBs.
• Promotes Long-Term Sustainability: EPR certification aligns business operations with global sustainability goals, supporting growth in eco-conscious markets.

What are the Essential Documents for EPR Certification in India?

The list of documents required for EPR certification in India is as follows:

1. Duly Filled and Signed Application Form
2. Comprehensive EPR Plan outlining strategies to meet waste management targets prescribed by CPCB/SPCB.
3. Legal Authorisation Documents permitting the manufacture, import, sale, or distribution of EEE or plastic packaging.
4. Agreements/MoUs with Collection Partners for handling and disposal of e-waste or plastic waste generated from operations.
5. Agreements/MoUs for Authorised Transportation of e-waste or plastic waste in compliance with the Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
6. Agreements/MoUs with Certified Laboratories for testing e-waste or plastic waste as per RoHS or other CPCB/SPCB guidelines.
7. Agreements/MoUs with CPCB/SPCB or UT Administration for implementing the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 or Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
8. Registered Business Address Proof along with supporting documents.
9. Contact Details and Copy of PAN Card of the authorised signatory.
10. Certificate of Incorporation of the entity.
11. Import Export Code (IEC) verification (if applicable).
12. Details of Awareness Initiatives related to waste management or environmental responsibility.
13. Budget Allocation for EPR Implementation.
14. Estimates for E-Waste or Plastic Waste Management activities.
15. Details of Authorised Recyclers engaged for waste processing and recycling.
16. Copy of BIS Licence (if applicable to the product category).
17. Authorised Person’s Details and Supporting Documents.
18. Product Details, including type, model, and category, covered under EPR.
19. Certificates from Local Authorities or Municipal Bodies (if required).
20. Any Other Documents as requested by CPCB, SPCB, or relevant regulatory authorities.

How to Apply for EPR Certificate for Importer?

The process to obtain an EPR certificate for importers involves a few essential steps that ensure smooth compliance with waste management laws. Below is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you complete your EPR registration online with ease.

• Collect the Required Documents Start by collecting all the necessary documents for filing the EPR application. Make sure the files are ready in PDF, JPG, or PNG format for easy upload to the registration portal.
• Create an Account on the Portal Visit the centralized EPR registration portal and create an account. After successful registration, you will receive login credentials that allow you to access and begin your EPR application.
• Complete the Application Form Log in with your credentials and fill out the correct form according to your business type—producer, brand owner, or importer. Provide accurate information and upload all required supporting documents before submission.
• Pay the Application Fee After filling in the details, pay the required application fee through the portal’s integrated payment gateway. The payment confirms your application for processing and is necessary to obtain your EPR registration certificate.
• Application Processing by Authorities For businesses operating in one or two states, applications are reviewed by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC). For operations in multiple states or union territories, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will process your application.
• Registration Approval and Certificate Issuance Once the application is reviewed and approved (typically within 15 working days), the concerned authority issues the EPR certificate digitally through the portal. The approved document is a valid EPR certificate signed and verified online.

Worried about the complexities in the journey of getting an EPR certificate in India? Reach out to our seasoned environmental consultants at Enterclimate.

Renewal Process for EPR Certificate

The renewal process for the EPR certificate involves the following steps:

• Apply in Advance: The applicant must apply for renewal at least three months before the expiry of the current EPR certificate.
• Submit Necessary Documents: All required documents must be submitted along with the renewal application in the prescribed format.
• Pay Prescribed Fees: The applicant should pay the renewal fee as specified by the regulatory authority.
• Ensure Compliance: Renewal is granted only after verifying compliance with EPR guidelines as per the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 or Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• Review by Authorities: The concerned authority will review the applicant’s EPR compliance record before approving the renewal.
• Validity for Other Categories: The renewed EPR certificate for other categories remains valid for five years.
• Online Renewal Option: Applicants can also apply for EPR certificate renewal online through the CPCB or respective SPCB/PCC portals for faster processing.

Mandatory Compliance for EPR Certificate

Businesses engaged in manufacturing, importing, or dealing with products that generate plastic or e-waste must follow certain mandatory compliance measures under the EPR certificate framework. The key compliances include:

• Compliance with Applicable Rules: Businesses handling plastic or e-waste must strictly adhere to the provisions of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, and the guidelines issued by the CPCB or respective SPCBs.
• Regular Waste Monitoring: Entities must ensure periodic monitoring of the quantity and type of e-waste or plastic waste generated, collected, and processed, as per regulatory requirements.
• Verification and Validation of Waste Performance: Businesses are required to conduct annual verification or validation of their waste management performance to assess compliance with EPR targets.
• Display of EPR Registration and Reports: The EPR certificate and annual verification or validation reports should be clearly displayed at the business premises or made available upon inspection by authorities.
• Record Maintenance: Proper and accurate records of all EPR-related activities, including collection, transportation, storage, and recycling, must be maintained and readily available for review.
• Inspection and Audit: Businesses must cooperate with inspections, audits, or investigations conducted by the CPCB or SPCB to ensure compliance with EPR obligations.

How Does Enterclimate Assist in EPR Registration Online?

Enterclimate is a trusted environmental compliance consultancy, offering expert assistance in obtaining and maintaining the EPR Certificate in India. Our team of professionals ensures a smooth and hassle-free EPR registration online process, helping your business stay compliant with CPCB or SPCB regulations under E-Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules. Here’s how Enterclimate supports your EPR registration online journey:

1. Comprehensive EPR registration services and legal solutions for startups, MSMEs, and large enterprises
2. Successfully assisted 1000+ producers, importers, and brand owners in getting an EPR certificate
3. Expert team of environmental consultants, advocates, and compliance professionals
4. Accurate documentation ensuring all CPCB/SPCB requirements and formats are met
5. Regular follow-ups with regulatory authorities to track application progress
6. One-on-one personalized consultation tailored to your business operations
7. Continuous support from registration to post-certification compliance
8. Over 10+ years of experience in environmental licensing and compliance services
9. Delivers reliable compliance strategies to meet your unique business requirements
10. Offers training and guidance to implement EPR-compliant waste management practices
11. Provides timely updates on amendments in EPR-related laws and guidelines
12. Helps identify compliance risks and develops preventive strategies to avoid penalties
13. Assistance in preparing for inspections and audits conducted by CPCB or SPCB