CBIC prohibits 'Single Use Plastic' from 1 July 2022

CBIC prohibits 'Single Use Plastic' from 1 July 2022.

The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India announced India's pledge to phase out Single Use Plastic on World Environment Day, 5 June 2018.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has prohibited the use of 'single-use plastic' from 1 July 2022. The MoEFCC has introduced restrictions in an official gazette released on 12 August 2021 and a list of things that will be prohibited from the beginning of next month.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) issued instructions regarding restrictions on the import of products made of plastic.

The key changes relating to import are as follows:

1. Carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic must be no less than 75 microns thick as of September 30, 2021, and 120 microns thick as of December 31, 2022.

2. The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastic (SUP) commodities, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene will be prohibited from 1 July 2022.

3. SUP will include earbuds with plastic sticks; plastic sticks for balloons; plastic flags; candy sticks, ice-cream sticks; polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration; plate.

The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 prescribe registration of importers of plastic packaging products on a centralised portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and extend producer responsibility and obligation of importers.

Any difficulties are directed to be brought to the notice of the Board.