The Environment Ministry of India has mandated all plastic bags and multilayered packaging in India must include a barcode or QR code from July 1, 2025, reported Times of India.

These quick response codes will provide detail on the plastic packaging’s thickness and manufacturer’s name, provided by every producer, importer or brand owner of plastic carry bags and multilayered packaging in India.

Punishment when failed to follow

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.

Commitment to manage plastic waste

This new regulation also ensures strict enforcement of the domestic Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules require plastic waste generators to take steps to reduce plastic waste, avoid littering, ensure segregated storage at source, and dispose of segregated waste in line with the regulations.

The 2021 amendment to these rules banned certain single-use plastics from 1 July 2022, due to their minimal utility and high potential for littering. Moreover, the production, import, and sale of plastic carrier bags under thickness of 120 microns was prohibited from 31 December 2022.