Extended Producer Responsibility
Full Form of EPR
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach under which producers are held accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, particularly post-consumer waste. In India, EPR is a cornerstone of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, requiring manufacturers, importers, and brand owners to collect and manage the disposal of waste generated by their products. The policy aims to shift the burden of waste management from municipalities to producers, incentivizing eco-design and recycling. EPR is implemented through registration with pollution control boards and submission of annual targets. It is widely discussed in environmental compliance circles, corporate sustainability reports, and policy forums. For students, EPR is a key topic in environmental law and business ethics exams, especially for UPSC, state civil services, and MBA courses. The concept promotes a circular economy and reduces landfill burden. In practice, entities like plastic producers pay a fee to recycling facilities or set up their own take-back systems. Non-compliance can lead to penalties and suspension of operations. EPR is also relevant to battery waste and tyre waste rules being drafted.
EPR का फुल फॉर्म
विस्तारित उत्पादक उत्तरदायित्व
Example
Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, all plastic producers must obtain an EPR certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board.