Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a concept that was first formally introduced by Thomas Lindhqvist, a Swedish environmental researcher. He explained this concept in his 1990 report to the Swedish Ministry of the Environment. Under the concept of EPR, the responsibility for managing EPR-regulated waste, such as e-waste, battery waste and plastic waste, is placed on PIBOs. PIBOs are businesses responsible for managing the waste generated at the end of life of their products, including its collection, recycling and environmentally sound disposal.
In simple terms, this framework makes producers and other responsible entities accountable for entire life cycle of their products, especially their take-back, recycling and final waste management. It places PIBOs at the helm of post-consumer waste management and makes them responsible for a major part of its cost and management instead of local authorities and taxpayers. In this Q&A page, we shall answer frequently asked questions appertaining to the EPR framework in the context of India.
EPR Registration refers to the formal process through which a business registers with Central Pollution Control Board under EPR framework. This process is mandatory for eligible businesses dealing with regulated products and waste categories covered under EPR rules. The registration ensures that businesses take responsibility for collection, recycling and proper management of waste that gets generated from their products.
In India, the Central Pollution Control Board manages EPR framework at national level. It is a statutory organisation under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
At state and local level, State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees are responsible for implementing and enforcing EPR-related rules and regulations.
EPR registration is required for different entities depending on type of waste and applicable EPR rules. These may include entities like Producers, Importers, Brand Owners, Recyclers and Waste Processors.
The EPR framework in India covers several waste categories. These categories are as follows:-
As of 1 September 2026, EPR registration is required to be completed via Common EPR Portal, a.k.a CEPR portal. This portal is operated by the Central Pollution Control Board.
PIBOs is a term commonly used in India’s EPR framework. It stands for Producers, Importers and Brand Owners. Under the framework, a Producer is involved in manufacturing or putting regulated products on the market. An Importer brings such products into India while a Brand Owner sells products under its own brand name even when the product is manufactured by some other entity.
Yes. If the online sellers’ products are regulated under the EPR framework, they certainly require EPR certification.
Yes. For every type of waste covered under the EPR framework, you require a separate registration under the applicable EPR category. For instance, if your business deals with both plastic waste and e-waste, you would need separate EPR registrations for plastic waste and e-waste. These registrations are to be obtained via the CEPR portal.
Under the EPR concept in India, the obligated PIBOs have certain targets pertaining to collection, recycling, reuse or other environmentally sound management of waste generated from their products. These targets are known as EPR targets. The exact targets depend on type of waste and applicable EPR rules.
Now, coming to EPR credits, they are certificates generated when eligible waste management activities, such as recycling, are carried out by registered recyclers or any other authorised entities. In order to fulfil their EPR obligations, obligated entities can purchase/use these credits.
No. It is not possible for you to use EPR credits from one waste type to fulfill the compliance target of another type of waste.
Sunny Goel is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and the Senior Finance & Regulatory Consultant at Registrationwala. He has expertise in accounting, taxation, finance, regulatory compliance, and insurance compliance. He writes simple and easy-to-understand content to help businesses understand financial rules, tax laws, insurance regulations, compliance requirements, and other regulatory matters.
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