CBIC Prohibits Manufacture, Import, Stocking, Distribution, Sale And Use Of Single Use Plastic From July 1, 2022

From July 1, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has prohibited the use of "single-use plastic." The MoEFCC announced the prohibition in a gazette notification dated August 12, 2021, and has now outlined a list of things that will be prohibited beginning next month.

The MoEFCC has highlighted the key changes in the notification dated August 12, 2021, relating to imports.

To begin, 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.

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

The SUP includes earbuds with plastic sticks; plastic sticks for balloons; plastic flags; candy sticks, ice-cream sticks; polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration; plates, cups, glasses; cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws; trays; wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets; plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns; stirrers.

In conclusion, 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).

Instruction No. 09/2022-Customs

Dated June 22, 2022

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