NEW DELHI: Every producer, importer or brand owner of plastic carry bags and multilayered packaging in India will have to provide all of its details, including thickness and name of manufacturer, in a barcode or quick response code printed on the packaging from July 1.
The new rules in this regard, notified by the environment ministry this week, will help in ensuring strict monitoring of the banned carry bags of less than 120 microns of thickness under the apex Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The apex rules provide for the statutory framework for environmentally sound plastic waste management in the country. The ministry had in 2021 notified the amended rules, prohibiting the use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from July 1, 2022.
The amended rules also prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having less than 120 microns of thickness with effect from Dec 31, 2022.
The new rules on providing information in a barcode have provision for action for contravention under section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under the law, any failure or contravention be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
In case the failure continues, the law provides for an additional fine which may extend to Rs 5,000 for every day after the conviction for the first such contravention.
