The rapid growth of online shopping has also increased the use of plastic packaging materials like courier bags, bubble wraps, shrink films, and tapes. To manage this rising volume of waste, the Indian government has strengthened the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. As a result, e-commerce sellers must evaluate whether they need a plastic EPR certificate in 2025 to stay fully compliant.
Many businesses—especially small and medium e-commerce sellers—are still unsure about their legal responsibilities under the updated rules. This detailed guide breaks down everything you need to know.
A plastic EPR certificate is an authorization issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It ensures that businesses generating plastic waste take responsibility for its collection, recycling, and eco-friendly disposal.
Under the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, any entity involved in using or introducing plastic packaging into the market must manage it responsibly.
CPCB considers e-commerce sellers as Brand Owners under the PIBO category. This includes sellers on:
If you use plastic packaging to ship products—even unbranded courier bags—you fall under compliance requirements.
You need a plastic EPR certificate if:
✔ You sell physical products
✔ You ship items using any plastic packaging
✔ You use branded packaging for your products
✔ You import items sold under your brand
You may not need EPR only if:
➖ You sell digital services
➖ Your packaging contains zero plastic (very rare in logistics)
CPCB has implemented strict compliance requirements for online sellers because plastic waste from deliveries is increasing rapidly.
Platforms like Amazon and Flipkart are increasingly requesting EPR documentation for continued product listings.
Non-compliance can lead to:
Customers today pay attention to sustainable and compliant brands.
Many e-commerce sellers find it difficult to compile and format documents correctly—this is where experienced compliance consultants can be very helpful.
Create your PIBO (Brand Owner) account.
Mention types of plastic packaging used and expected quantities.
Ensure accuracy to avoid application delays.
Fees depend on packaging category and business size.
If everything is correct, your plastic EPR certificate is issued.
Many small sellers rely on professional compliance firms to avoid errors in the portal process.
Many businesses, especially new e-commerce sellers, choose to work with compliance assistance platforms like Metacorp to ensure their documentation, portal filings, and EPR registrations are handled correctly. This is particularly helpful because EPR filings require accuracy, periodic reporting, and understanding of CPCB guidelines—which often change year to year.
Including a support partner simply reduces the chances of:
This is why many sellers prefer professional guidance for EPR compliance instead of trying to navigate the process completely on their own.
(This maintains neutrality while positioning Metacorp as a reliable industry resource.)
Once you obtain the certificate, you must:
If you sell products online in India, a plastic EPR certificate is an essential compliance requirement in 2025. Whether you operate through large marketplaces or your own website, proper EPR documentation protects your business from penalties and strengthens customer trust.
As regulations continue to evolve, many e-commerce sellers find it helpful to rely on experienced compliance support partners—such as Metacorp—to ensure their filings and documentation remain accurate and up to date.
To learn more about plastic EPR certificate in Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh we recommend you to visit Metacorp as it solve legal and compliance issues of new and established businesses.
We are the pioneers in offering environmental consulting services to our patrons, giving us the first mover advantage & keeping us ahead of our competitors.
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