Office Memorandum is issued by the Hazardous Substances Management Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with reference to a letter dated August 10, 2026 from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the subject of extension in timeline for filing of Annual Returns of PWPs (Producers, Importers and Brand Owners engaged in plastic waste management activity, as referred to in the document as PWPs) and PIBOs. The memorandum is signed by Amit Raj, Director, and issued with the approval of the competent authority, addressed to the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, with copies for information to PSO to Secretary (EF&CC), PPS to AS (AG), and PS to JS (UC).

The timeline for filing of annual returns for registered PWPs and PIBOs for 2025-26 is extended till October 31, 2026 and December 31, 2026 respectively, as a special case, for removal of difficulties and facilitating filing of annual returns, while ensuring environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste as per EPR Guidelines. This extension is provided as per the provisions under the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023. CPCB is also requested to address issues related to the EPR portal on priority during the extended period, as part of removal of difficulties.