What is EPR Certificate or Registration?

What is EPR Certificate or Registration?

Overview of EPR Certificate

• Electronics Waste
• Plastic Packaging
• Battery Waste
• Waste Tyres

Who is eligible for the EPR Certificate or Registration?

• Producer
• Importer
• Brand Owner

What are the Benefits of an EPR Certificate?

1. Promoting Sustainability: EPR Certificate provides a strong incentive for companies to adopt greener practices, reduce waste generation, and design products with recycling and disposal in mind.

2. Financial Incentives: Producers who excel in waste management can generate additional revenue by selling EPR certificates to those struggling to meet their targets.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact: By holding producers accountable for waste management, the EPR certificate contributes to minimizing landfill waste, conserving resources, and reducing pollution.

4. Collaborative Approach: The Extended Producer Responsibility Certificate encourages collaboration between industries, as companies that have surpassed their targets can assist others in meeting their obligations, fostering a culture of shared environmental responsibility.

5. Consumer Trust and Brand Reputation: Companies that obtain EPR certificates showcase their commitment to sustainability, building consumer trust, and enhancing their brand reputation.

What are the documents required for EPR certification?

• Scanned copies for the KYC of authorized signatory
• Mobile &  Email of the authorized signatory
• Valid GST Registration Certificate
• MSME Registration Certificate
• Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Deed
• Importer Exporter Code, IEC
• CTE, CTO from State Pollution Control Board, in case of producer
• Flowcharts or diagrams for processes, in case of producer
• Scanned copy of signatures of authorized persons
• Sales, Purchase invoice for the financial year 
• Copy of BIS registration Certificate, if applicable
• Copy of RoHS certificate
• A scanned copy of the CA-certified letter

Cost of EPR Certification or Applicable Fee

EPR certification fee depends on the actual waste generation annually:

• Waste generated less than 1000 MT: Fee will be Rs. 10,000
• Waste generated between 1000 and 10000 MT: Fee will be Rs. 20,000
• Waste generated  10000 MT: Fee will be Rs. 50,000

Online Registration Process of EPR Certification

Here is the mandatory online registation process steps for getting an EPR Certificate:

Step 1: Create a login credential to the CPCB Portal: The application has to create a login ID and password to the CPCB portal, https://cpcb.nic.in/, by using the email and mobile number along with company documents and KYC documents of an authorized person.

Step 2: Drafting of application and submission: Once we are done with portal registration, we need to draft and submit the mandatory forms & formats, along with the required documents.

Step 3: Fee Payment: Applicants need to pay the mandatory fee through the CPCB portal via different payment sources (Internet banking, mobile banking, UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS).

Step 4: Scrutiny of the Application: A reviewing office will be allocated to review the complete documents and details submitted to the CPCB portal.

Step 5: Grant of Authorization: After successful verification of the application by the reviewing officer, you will get the Extended Producer Responsibility Certificate.

Mandatory Post Compliances for EPR Certificate Holder

1. Collection and Management of Waste: Producers are obligated to establish a collection mechanism for the products they introduce into the market.

2. Recycling & Resource Recovery: According to EPR, producers must help with resource recovery and recycling of the collected trash.

3. Reporting and Documentation: Producers must keep detailed records and documentation of their waste management operations.

4. Meeting EPR Targets: EPR Registration in India often comes with specific targets that producers must meet.

5. Financial Contributions: In some cases, producers may be required to contribute financially towards waste management and recycling initiatives.

6. Awareness Plan: EPR also points out how crucial it is to raise public awareness of appropriate recycling and waste disposal practices.

7. Annual Compliance Reports: It is mandatory for Producers to submit annual compliance reports to CPCP.

8. Forfeitures for Non-Compliance: Penalties and legal consequences may result from breaking EPR regulations.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Even if the idea of an EPR Certificate has a lot of potential, there are still issues to be resolved maintaining transparency, standardizing certificate analysis, and preventing environmental disinformation are a few of the major issues. The EPR certificate, however, is probably going to gain popularity and change to meet these concerns as India shifts toward a circular economy and increases awareness of environmental issues.

Conclusion

In India, the EPR certificate is a certification scheme meant to keep manufacturers and importers responsible for the end-life cycle of the produced goods. To decrease the impact on the environment, the PIBOs have to manage recycling and disposal. EPR authorization promotes a green environment and works to make India's future more eco-friendly. It's a step in the right direction to make sure businesses minimize the impact of their products on the environment. 

Businesses that acquire EPR certificates can improve their competitiveness and brand value in a market where consumers are becoming more environmentally concerned while also helping to make the world a greener place. Connect Agile Regulatory Expert Environmental Professionals to Get a Detailed Discussion. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who needs an EPR Certificate in India?

Any manufacturer and importer of plastic, electronic and battery products must get an EPR Certificate.

2. How do I apply or get an EPR Certificate in India?

The application is submitted online through the EPR portal along with the mandatory documents like GST, PAN, product details etc.

3. Is EPR registration mandatory in India?

Yes, EPR registration is mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and brand owners under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management Rules, Battery Waste Management Rules.

4. What is the validity of an EPR Certificate?

EPR Certificate for Electronics and Battery is valid for five years and However, EPR Plastic Certification is valid for lifetime.

5. What is the cost of EPR Certificate?

The fee depends on the type of application and per annum capacity of waste generated. Generally, Government fees range from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000+.

6. What is EPR post compliance?

EPR compliance means to fulfil the recycling target set by CPCB. Producers must submit periodic reports and maintain records of waste disposal through authorized recyclers.

7. Is it possible to get EPR Certificate without a factory or warehouse in India?

Yes, importers and brand owners can apply even without physical manufacturing units in India, provided they meet the registration requirements.

8. What happens if a company doesn’t have an EPR Certificate?

It can cause cancellation of EPR certificate, and restriction on import or sale of products.

Read Related Blogs:

 How to Get an EPR Certificate for Import?

 What is EPR compliance? Types of EPR Registration

 EPR Certificate Registration Process, Types, and Fees

 What are the benefits of EPR services for recycling e-waste?

 The Best Ways to Utilize EPR Registration for Waste Management

 Who Can Obtain EPR Registration? Why is EPR Registration Necessary?