EPR Violations & Penalties: What Every Producer, Importer, and Brand Owner Must Know

EPR Violations & Penalties: What Every Producer, Importer, and Brand Owner Must Know

Plastic is an essential part of modern business, from packaging to product. However, with great usage comes great responsibility. Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) play a crucial role in ensuring that plastic waste is collected, processed, and recycled responsibly. That’s why the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework exist to create a structured approach to sustainability.

To help businesses stay compliant, Schedule II of the PWM Rules outlines clear requirements and associated penalties for non-compliance.

Understanding these guidelines is the first step toward smooth operations, risk-free compliance, and a commitment to sustainability.

1. Meeting Your EPR Target: The Key to Compliance

Requirement:

Every PIBO must meet its EPR target by ensuring the collection and processing of the plastic it introduces into the market.

What Happens if You Fall Short?

Shortfalls in meeting EPR targets result in an Environmental Compensation (EC) charge based on the amount of plastic that remains unprocessed.

Note: Fines are as per the latest CPCB Environmental Compensation (EC) regime dated 4 April 2024.

Additional Considerations:

• If the shortfall is addressed within three years, a percentage of the EC amount can be refunded
  • 75% in Year 1 
  • 60% in Year 2 
  • 40% in Year 3
• Refund applies only if the shortfall is fully made up by plastic collection & processing within the specified year. After three years, the entire EC is forfeited.

2. Annual Returns: Timely Filing is Key

Requirement:

All PIBOs must submit annual returns on their plastic waste collection and processing by June 30 of the following financial year.

Missed the Deadline?

A structured penalty system applies based on the delay:

Note: Fines are as per the latest CPCB Environmental Compensation (EC) regime dated 4 April 2024.

3. Accurate Reporting: Transparency is Essential

Requirement:

Businesses must provide accurate data on the quantity of plastic introduced into the market and the amount of recycled plastic used.

Incorrect Reporting?

Penalties are applied based on the severity of misreporting:

Additionally, the government may increase your EPR target as a corrective measure.

4. Registering on the CPCB Portal: A Non-Negotiable Step

Requirement:

All PIBOs and Plastic Waste Processors must be registered on the CPCB portal before operating.

Failure to Register?

The government imposes an EC charge per ton of plastic produced, dating back to either the unit’s inception or March 18, 2016, whichever is later.

Note: Fines are as per the latest CPCB Environmental Compensation (EC) regime dated 4 April 2024.

5. Following Certification Conditions: Ensuring Compliance Post-Registration

Requirement:

Once registered, PIBOs must comply with all conditions stated in their EPR certificate.

Violation Risks:

Non-compliance with certification conditions may result in the cancellation of registration.

6. Submission of False Information

Who is Liable:

Producers, Brand Owners, Importers (PIBOs), and Plastic Waste Processors

Nature of Violation:

Providing false or misleading information during the CPCB registration process, or any time thereafter, is a serious offence under the EPR framework.

Consequences:

If any false data is detected such as fake registrations or inaccurate declarations the concerned entity will face the following penalties:

• Immediate cancellation of registration
• Debarment from operating under the EPR framework for one year (as per CPCB procedures)
• Environmental Compensation (EC):
  • First-time offence: EC of double the application fee, with a penalty up to ₹1,00,000
  • Second-time offence: EC of four times the application fee
  • Third-time offence: EC of eight times the application fee

False reporting undermines the integrity of EPR. Regulators are increasingly vigilant where accuracy and transparency in your submissions are non-negotiable.

Why Staying Compliant is More Important Than Ever

With EPR regulations evolving, businesses need a structured compliance strategy to avoid penalties and maintain their sustainability commitments.

Key Takeaways:

✅ EC fines are reviewed every 6 months and are set 15-20% higher than EPR Credit market rates, making compliance the more cost-effective option.
✅ Proactive compliance eliminates financial risk and enhances brand reputation.
✅ Non-compliance is more expensive than doing things right from the start.

In recent audits and enforcement actions, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has sent a strong message to both plastic waste processors and brand owners: EPR non-compliance is no longer a risk worth taking.

Case 1: Plastic Waste Processors Fabricating Capacity and Certificates

In a sweeping audit conducted across three states, CPCB uncovered serious discrepancies in how plastic waste processors were reporting their operations:

• One facility had registered for a massive processing capacity over 3,50,000 tonnes annually but had neither the infrastructure nor operational machinery in place. Despite having no power or water connections, the unit had already uploaded false geotagged photos, fabricated documents, and inflated data on the national EPR portal. The penalties imposed crossed ₹170 crore.
• In another instance, a processor listed a staff strength of over 125 employees on paper but had fewer than 40 on site. It had issued EPR certificates for nearly 15 times its verified processing capacity before even commencing operations. The company was fined over ₹125 crore.
• Yet another operator could not produce any invoices, tax statements, or sales documents to justify the 92,500 tonnes of EPR credits it had generated. The processing infrastructure on the ground could only handle a fraction of that. The penalty? ₹46 crore.

Case 2: Brand Owners Failing to File Statutory Returns

While processor audits focused on physical infrastructure and operational integrity, producer-level violations revolved around documentation and filing lapses:

• • Several high-volume brand owners were penalised for failing to file their mandatory EPR returns related to the collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste.
  • In one case, a company had an EPR obligation of over 1,00,000 tonnes but managed to recover and report less than 5% of that target. This mismatch between obligations and declarations led to a fine running into tens of crores.
  • Another firm, which failed to submit documentation for over 21,000 tonnes of plastic waste, was fined at a rate of ₹5,000 per tonne. Across cases, fines ranged from ₹8 crore to over ₹50 crore depending on the scale of default.
• Some companies cited ongoing internal reviews in response to CPCB notices but such delays in filing have already cost these companies financially and reputationally.

The Takeaway

• Whether you’re a plastic processor or a brand owner placing packaged goods in the market, staying compliant with EPR regulations is a regulatory, financial, and reputational imperative.
• Authorities are cross-verifying ground-level capacity, conducting unannounced audits, and scrutinising submissions on the EPR portal. Quick fixes, inflated claims, and missed filings are being met with penalties that can severely dent operations and investor confidence.
• Staying ahead of compliance is easier than defending a lapse.
• Let these cases serve not as cautionary tales, but as actionable insights showing just how thorough, unforgiving, and necessary EPR compliance has become.

How Go Rewise Makes EPR Compliance Effortless

Navigating India’s EPR regulations can be complex, but with Go Rewise, it doesn’t have to be. We partner with businesses to simplify compliance at every step, ensuring you meet all CPCB guidelines without missing a beat.

Our End-to-End Compliance Support Includes:

🔹 Hassle-free CPCB Registration & Certification Assistance
🔹 Accurate, Error-Free Reporting that aligns with CPCB standards
🔹 Timely Filing of Annual & Biannual Returns
🔹 Full Management of EPR Targets for Category 1 and 2 plastics
🔹 Strategic Support for Achieving Plastic Neutrality
🔹 Robust Audit & Documentation Support

We ensure your business stays compliant without the stress, penalties, or operational disruptions.

The Go Rewise Impact

At Go Rewise, we go beyond compliance. Our vision is to transform Extended Producer Responsibility into a powerful tool for sustainability. Using cutting-edge technology and advanced recycling systems, we bring recycled plastics back into the value chain enabling multiple reuse cycles and reducing the need for virgin material extraction.

This means:

• Lower CO₂ emissions
• Reduced landfill waste
• A measurable reduction in fossil fuel dependence
• A stronger, planet-positive brand identity

By choosing Go Rewise, you lead the way in sustainable business transformation. Align with the future. Build trust with conscious consumers. And turn your compliance strategy into a competitive edge.

Contact us today and let us help you navigate EPR compliance seamlessly and stress-free.

Note:

All figures, fines, and regulatory details mentioned in this blog are accurate as of May 2025. These are subject to change based on updates or amendments issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or relevant authorities. We recommend businesses consult the latest CPCB notifications or work with an authorized compliance partner like Go Rewise to stay up to date.