The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a notice detailing mandatory marking and labeling requirements for plastic packaging, set to come into force from July 1, 2025. These provisions are part of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2016, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
Under the amended rule 11(1) of the PWM Rules, all plastic packaging must display specific information printed in English. This includes the name and EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration certificate number of the producer, importer, or brand owner.
From July 1, 2024, this applies to rigid plastic packaging, multilayer flexible plastic packaging with different types of plastics (including sachets/pouches), and multi-layered plastic packaging.
For single-layer flexible plastic packaging (including sachets/pouches, sheets, and carry bags), the thickness must also be printed alongside the registration details.
From January 1, 2025, compostable plastic packaging and carry bags must additionally include the number of the certificate issued under clause (h) of sub-rule (4) of the PWM Rules.
Biodegradable plastic packaging must similarly bear the name and relevant certificate number.
A notable addition, effective July 1, 2025, is rule 11(1A), offering producers, importers, or brand owners greater flexibility in conveying this information. They may now choose to provide the required details via:
- A barcode or Quick Response (QR) code printed directly on the plastic packaging.
- In the product information brochure.
- By printing a unique number issued under any other applicable law, provided the sub-rule (1) provisions are fulfilled before such a number’s issuance.
Companies opting for these alternative methods must inform the CPCB of their chosen approach. The CPCB, in turn, will publish and quarterly update a list of such entities on its website.
Certain exemptions apply: plastic packaging covered under Rule 26 of the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011, and cases where printing is technically not feasible (subject to CPCB approval) are exempt from direct printing. However, in such scenarios, the relevant information must be printed on the packaging that holds together individual units of goods or individual units of packaging.
All producers, importers, and brand owners of plastic packaging are required to fulfill these obligations by July 1, 2025, and submit the necessary information to the CPCB using the enclosed Annexure-I format, with provisions for submission to be made on the EPR Portal shortly.
