As part of a federal crackdown on single-use plastics, India has banned the production, distribution and use of single-use plastics for 19 waste-generating items, including plastic cups, straws and cigarette wraps. Keen to enforce these rules, New Delhi will announce further measures shortly.
Indian and/or Italian companies operating on Indian soil will have to comply with new rules banning single-use plastics from 1 July 2022. Failure to comply will result in criminal penalties.
The plastic packaging waste will now need to be collected and managed in an environmentally sustainable manner through extended producer responsibility (EPR), importer and brand owner. The ban on single-use plastics will be closely monitored by central and state pollution control boards, and guidelines have been issued at the national, state and local level not to supply raw materials to industries that operate the banned items.
According to the rules issued, as of July 1, 2022 the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic products, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, will be prohibited. These products include:
– Plastic ear sticks, plastic balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, styrofoam for decorations. Furthermore, all those products made of single-use plastic which concern plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, films for packaging boxes of sweets, invitation cards are also to be included in the new ban and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners smaller than 100 microns, shakers;
– In addition, the government has enacted directives at the national, state and local level not to supply raw materials to industries that work with the prohibited items. In addition, effective December 31, 2022, the thickness of plastic carrier bags will need to be increased from 75 to 120 microns to allow for reuse. The MoEFCC had already banned polythene bags below 75 microns in September 2021, expanding the limit from the previous 50 microns. A blanket ban on sachets that use plastic material to pack, store or sell pan masala, gutkha and tobacco is already in place.
Those responsible for violating these directives will be punished under the 1986 Environmental Protection Act, which provides a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to INR 100,000, or both. In addition, there are municipal laws on plastic waste, which also have their own penalties.
With the ban on single use plastics in India Italian companies that export to this country must also comply starting from 1 July 2022. It is a ban destined to change the foreign trade of companies that use, directly or indirectly, disposable plastic: it is therefore necessary to have a defined strategy and correct planning to face the progressive technological and ecological change in the best possible way of India.
It is important to comply with the legislation in the shortest time possible, not only to avoid incurring penalties that we have seen to be heavy, but also to stay ahead of the competition. In this way, companies that won't waste time will show themselves as modern and in full compliance with the laws in force, thus obtaining a competitive advantage and a significant return on image.
Octagona can support you in this delicate process and provide assistance for a rapidly growing country like India. With our experience in Internationalization and the team with direct presence in India in three different offices, we can be the ideal partner for your company. If you want to find out what are the steps to take and you want expert advice, then call or write to us by clicking on the button below.
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