The Myth: Additional Private Audits are Mandatory for EPR Credits
In the evolving landscape of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in India, many misconceptions persist. One common question is whether brand owners and producers must conduct additional private audits for the EPR credits they procure. Let’s delve into the details to clarify this.
There is a prevailing belief that companies must conduct additional private audits for the EPR credits they procure. This notion can cause unnecessary concern and confusion among brand owners and producers.
In reality, there is no mandatory compliance requirement for additional private audits of EPR credits. Here’s why:
- Generated on CPCB Portal: The PWPs must complete their compliances before generating EPR credits. CPCB conducts regular audits to ensure that the information provided and credits generated are true and legitimate. There is no mention of a separate audit to be conducted by the PIBO for the procured credits in the PWMR, 2016 and the amendments thereof.
- CPCB’s Role: The CPCB audits the records submitted by Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) to generate EPR credits. This centralized auditing process ensures that the EPR credits are legitimate and traceable.
- Consultant Recommendations: Various consultants may recommend additional private audits of the procured EPR credits to increase project costs. However, there is no regulatory requirement for such audits.
- No Protection Against Fraud: Even after an audit, there is no guarantee that the EPR credits procured are legitimate since no standards are available to audit against.
- Cost Implications: Conducting additional private audits can lead to extra costs for companies. Given that the CPCB already performs necessary audits, an extra layer of auditing may be redundant and financially burdensome.
The Bottom Line
For brand owners and producers, understanding the regulatory framework and the role of the CPCB can save time, money, and effort. Trusting the government-backed EPR credits and the centralized auditing process by the CPCB ensures compliance without unnecessary duplication of efforts.
In conclusion, while additional private audits might seem like a proactive measure, they are not a regulatory requirement and could lead to avoidable expenses. Focus on maintaining accurate records and complying with CPCB guidelines to streamline your EPR responsibilities efficiently. In order to loot companies and extort money from them, consultants are misleading companies for such audits.
Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to demystify the myths around EPR in India in this blog series.
Disclaimer: Above content does not constitute any legal advice and is only provided for educational purpose.
Climeto Sustainable Services Private Limited is an environmental consultancy. If you need any more information on the above you can contact us:
For Business Enquiry : business@climeto.com
For General Enquiry: info@climeto.com
Reach directly via call: +91 9039946410