The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system in India, regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), has been a monumental step towards ensuring accountability for plastic waste management. However, as more producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) navigate the EPR portal to meet their compliance obligations, several significant technical glitches have emerged across all types of entities.
Current Issues with the EPR Portal
The technical glitches that entities face on the EPR portal are diverse and widespread. From problems in data entry, uploading documents, generating compliance reports, to issues with registration and filing amendments, these glitches are creating bottlenecks in the compliance process. The complexity of the EPR system combined with these technical challenges is making it increasingly difficult for businesses to fulfill their obligations efficiently.
What compounds the issue is the slow resolution time. Despite the CPCB’s efforts in introducing a ticket tracking system, which is an impressive step forward, the speed at which these tickets are resolved remains sluggish. As of now, there is no dedicated notification system—neither through email nor mobile SMS—that would keep entities informed about the status of their tickets. This lack of proactive communication only adds to the frustration of businesses trying to complete their compliances on time.
Unresolved Issues and Piling Amendment Requests
Another growing concern is the backlog of amendment requests. Whether submitted via email or the ticket tracker, there is a considerable pile-up of requests that have yet to be processed. This backlog has caused significant delays for entities that require urgent amendments to correct errors or discrepancies in their submissions. The inability to promptly address these requests is not only hindering compliance but is also leading to further complications for entities whose registrations, targets, or data may be incorrect.
Entities find themselves stuck in a loop of waiting, unable to proceed with their compliance tasks, while unresolved issues continue to accumulate. This situation is particularly troublesome for smaller businesses that lack the resources to navigate such bureaucratic and technical delays, which in turn could lead to non-compliance and financial penalties.
A Suggestion: Introducing an Amendment Module on the Portal
One major improvement that could dramatically enhance the user experience and streamline compliance is the introduction of a dedicated amendment module on the EPR portal itself. Instead of relying on manual requests via email or the ticket tracker, this module would allow entities to submit amendment requests directly through the portal, track their status in real time, and receive notifications when amendments are processed.
Such a module would have several advantages:
- Streamlined Process: By allowing entities to submit and manage amendments through a structured portal interface, the process would become more efficient, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication via email or tickets.
- Real-Time Updates: Entities could receive real-time notifications on the status of their amendment requests, reducing uncertainty and allowing them to plan their compliance activities more effectively.
- Reduced Backlog: Automating the amendment process would help reduce the backlog of manual requests, enabling the CPCB to process amendments faster and with fewer delays.
- Improved Transparency: A dedicated module would provide greater transparency for businesses, allowing them to see the progress of their requests and ensuring accountability for timely processing by the CPCB.
Conclusion: The Need for Proactive Solutions
While the CPCB has made strides in creating a ticket tracking system and addressing some of the technical issues on the EPR portal, more needs to be done. The slow resolution of tickets, lack of notifications, and the mounting backlog of amendment requests are creating significant challenges for entities trying to comply with EPR regulations.
Introducing an amendment module on the portal could be a game-changing improvement, helping to streamline the process, improve efficiency, and ensure that businesses can meet their compliance requirements in a timely manner. This is particularly critical for smaller entities that are disproportionately affected by delays and technical glitches.
By taking these proactive steps, the CPCB can enhance the functionality of the EPR portal, making it easier for all businesses to comply with the regulations, while also ensuring the long-term success of the EPR system in managing plastic waste.