What you need to know about Extended Producer Responsibility EPR certification in India

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification - INDIA

What is it about?

To effectively manage electronic and plastic waste, the government of India has introduced the mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification. The purpose of this certification is to ensure proper recycling, re-use and end-of-life disposal of waste generated from electronic and plastic products. 

EPR certification is mandatory for:

• every manufacturer, producer, importer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler involved in the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, refurbishing, dismantling, recycling and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational
• every producer, importer, brand owner of plastic packaging product or products with plastic packaging or carry bags or multilayered packaging or plastic sheets; and plastic waste processor engaged in recycling, waste to energy, waste to oil, and industrial composting
• importers of various items such as primary products, chemicals, machinery, textiles, articles etc. which are not plastic packaging but are coming wrapped or packed in plastic packaging

Through this certification, the producer/importer/owner accepts the responsibility of disposing of electronic/plastic waste in an environmentally-friendly manner.

How does this affect Swiss exporters?

Swiss companies exporting products from any of the above mentioned three categories to India will need to ensure that their importer/authorized representative in India applies for the EPR certification well in advance. In the absence of such certification, the customs clearance of goods at ports will no longer be possible.

Our recommendation

Swiss manufacturers looking to export products from any of the three categories mentioned above to India will need to collaborate with their importer/authorized representative in India in order to apply for the EPR certification, in advance. 

The Swiss Business Hub India can support Swiss SMEs to obtain this certification through relevant market experts. Please get in touch with us as soon as such a need arises for your exports to India.