Packaging rule · India · Ban
Ban on identified single-use plastic items
Ban covering plastic, single-use plastic in India, set by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Applies since 1 July 2022.
The rule
Recorded from the official source named below. Rates and dates are as the source states them on the date it was consulted.
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Authority
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Rule type
- Ban
- Materials
- Plastic, Single-use plastic
- Status
- In force Enacted
- Rate or target
- 120 microns (minimum carry bag thickness)75 microns from 30 Sep 2021; 120 microns from 31 Dec 2022.
- Adopted or published
- 12 August 2021
- Applies from
- 1 July 2022
From the source“including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022”
Official source MoEFCC Gazette G.S.R. 571(E), hosted by Maharashtra Pollution Control BoardOfficial (government or regulator) · consulted 13 October 2026
Key dates
Adopted or published 5 years ago
Applies from 4 years and 3 months ago
Source consulted by the SPI team 2 days ago
Re-checked by a second SPI team member 2 days ago
What it means
SPI analysis Our reading of the official source above. Not legal advice; always rely on the official text.
SPI summary
Manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of listed single-use plastic items, including plates, cups, cutlery, straws, stirrers, ear buds with plastic sticks and wrapping film around sweet boxes and cigarette packets, prohibited from 1 July 2022. Plastic carry bags must be at least 120 microns from 31 December 2022.
In practice
Since 1 July 2022 India has prohibited making, importing, stocking, distributing, selling and using listed single-use plastic items, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene versions. For packaging this reaches wrapping or packing film around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, along with trays, plates, cups and cutlery. Carry bags have been at least 120 microns since 31 December 2022, and non-woven bags at least 60 GSM since 30 September 2021.
Where the record is unclear
- The gazette says new bans on carry bags, sheets, multilayer packaging or single-use items come into force ten years after notification; how this interacts with later amendments was not checked.
- Enforcement practice and any state-level bans beyond the central list are outside the source consulted.
Where it sits in the tracker
- One of 4 packaging rules we track in India, of which 1 are ban rules.
- In all, 17 ban rules are tracked across 11 jurisdictions. Compare them below
Company profiles that map to this rule
Companies whose SPI profile lists this rule in its regulatory exposure, based on where they report selling. Not company-reported.
Overview
G.S.R. 571(E) of 12 August 2021 amended rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in two ways. It raised the carry bag thickness floor in steps and inserted a list-based prohibition in rule 4(2), covering the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of named single-use plastic commodities from 1 July 20221. Its legal basis is sections 6, 8 and 25 of the 1986 Environment (Protection) Act; it followed a draft, G.S.R. 169(E) of 11 March 2021, had been open for 60 days1.
Rule 4(2) has two lists. List (a) covers ear buds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, flags, candy and ice-cream sticks and polystyrene (thermocol) decoration. List (b) covers plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, straws, trays, stirrers, plastic or PVC banners under 100 microns, and wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets1. Only list (b) can escape the ban by being made of compostable plastic under rule 4(3); list (a) items are banned whatever the material1.
The amendment also defined a single-use plastic commodity in rule 3(va) and inserted rule 4(4), under which any later notification banning carry bags, sheets, multilayer packaging or single-use commodities comes into force only ten years after it is published1. The 2026 amendment then named local bodies, Gram Panchayats and district Panchayats as the enforcers of rule 4 prohibitions2.
Who must do what
Manufacturer of plastic items or film
Importer
- Do not import listed items; rule 4(2) names import alongside manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale and use1.
Retailer, distributor and caterer
Brand owner
- Remove plastic film overwrap from sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets sold in India, as rule 4(2)(b) bans such film from 1 July 20221.
Local bodies and Panchayats
- The concerned local body enforces the rule 4 prohibitions, with the urban local body taking precedence where areas overlap and the local authority acting in peri-urban areas (rule 12(3A), 2026)2.
- Gram Panchayats and district-level Panchayats hold the same enforcement role in their areas (rules 12(3B) and 12(3C))2.
Are you in scope?
Work through each question. The answers are the SPI team's reading of the sources cited.
Is the item named in rule 4(2)(a) or (b)?
- If yes
- It may not be made, imported, stocked, distributed, sold or used in India from 1 July 20221.
- If no
- The central ban does not reach it, though carry bag thickness rules may still apply.
Is a list (b) item made of compostable plastic?
Is the film wrapped around a sweet box, invitation card or cigarette packet?
- If yes
- It is a banned item under rule 4(2)(b)1.
- If no
- Other overwrap films are not on the 2021 list.
Is it a plastic carry bag under 120 microns, or a non-woven bag under 60 GSM?
- If yes
- It breaches rule 4(1), in force for plastic bags since 31 December 2022 and for non-woven bags since 30 September 20211.
- If no
- The bag meets the thickness or weight floor.
Is it a plastic or PVC banner?
- If yes
- Banners under 100 microns are banned; thicker banners are outside the list1.
- If no
- Not applicable.
Compliance checklist
Screen packaging and service items against both lists
By NowSPI analysis of the official text. Not legal advice; confirm with the text or counsel. Compare trays, cutlery, stirrers, straws and overwrap films with rule 4(2)(a) and (b), including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene versions1.
Evidence to keep Item list with material and the list entry it matches or clears.
Test carry bag specifications
By NowConfirm plastic carry bags at 120 microns or more and non-woven bags at 60 GSM or more, the floors in rule 4(1)1.
Evidence to keep Thickness or GSM test reports per batch.
Document compostable substitutes
By Before supplyKeep certification for compostable list (b) items, because rule 4(3) is the only route to keep them on sale1.
Evidence to keep Compostability certificates per item.
Brief local teams on the enforcer
By NowSince 31 March 2026, inspections of rule 4 bans may come from the urban local body, the local authority or the Panchayat, depending on where the site is (rule 12(3A) to (3C))2.
Evidence to keep Site list mapped to the enforcing body.
Watch for new listings
By OngoingRule 4(4) delays any later ban on carry bags, sheets, multilayer packaging or single-use commodities by ten years from publication, so a new notification signals a long lead time1.
Evidence to keep Dated log of Ministry notifications reviewed.
Enforcement and penalties
- Who enforces
- Urban local bodies, local authorities, Gram Panchayats and district-level Panchayats under rule 12(3A) to (3C), inserted on 31 March 20262
- Powers
- The 2021 notification itself sets out no inspection procedure; it adds compliance duties in rules 6(2) and 7(1) and relies on the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for its powers1.
Penalties
| Breach | Penalty | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Making, importing, selling or using a banned item, or breaching the carry bag floors | minimum INR 10,000, maximum INR 15 lakh, and INR 10,000 a day while the breach continues | Parent Act penalty: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, section 15, replaced by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (No. 18 of 2023, assent 11 August 2023)34 |
How it fits with other rules
- EPR Guidelines for plastic packaging (PWM Rules Schedule II) PR-IN-001
Carry bags that stay lawful above 120 microns remain plastic packaging and fall into the EPR categories, while banned list items should not reach the market at all. The Schedule II return only covers lawful packaging1. - Opinions on Further Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control (NDRC/MEE 2020 No. 80) PR-CN-001
China phases its restrictions by city tier and sector between 2020 and 2025, while India applied one nationwide date, 1 July 2022, to its whole list1. - SUP Directive: ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws and EPS containers PR-EU-014
Both cover plates, cutlery, straws and stirrers. India adds film overwrap on sweet boxes and cigarette packets, and it exempts compostable versions of list (b) items under rule 4(3)1. - Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138) PR-CA-001
Canada's federal list also targets cutlery and straws, but India's reaches packaging film and decoration items as well and bans use, not only manufacture, import and sale1.
History of the rule
Parent Rules, G.S.R. 320(E), issued2.
Draft amendment G.S.R. 169(E) published for 60 days of comment1.
G.S.R. 571(E) published, in force on publication1.
Carry bags at least 75 microns and non-woven bags at least 60 GSM1.
Rule 4(2) prohibition on listed single-use items takes effect1.
Carry bag floor rises to 120 microns1.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 receives assent, recasting the Environment (Protection) Act penalties4.
G.S.R. 237(E) names local bodies and Panchayats as enforcers of rule 42.
Questions
Is plastic film around sweet boxes banned in India?
Yes. Rule 4(2)(b), inserted on 12 August 2021, has prohibited wrapping or packing film around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets since 1 July 20221.
How thick must a plastic carry bag be in India?
At least 120 microns since 31 December 2022, after an interim floor of 75 microns from 30 September 2021. Non-woven carry bags must weigh at least 60 GSM1.
Are compostable plastic cutlery and plates allowed?
Yes, for items in list (b), because rule 4(3) excludes commodities made of compostable plastic from the 1 July 2022 ban. The exception does not cover list (a) items such as ear buds or balloon sticks1.
Who enforces India's single-use plastic ban?
How much notice will a new Indian plastic ban give?
Rule 4(4) says any notification issued after 12 August 2021 that bans carry bags, sheets, multilayer packaging or single-use commodities comes into force ten years after publication1.
Definitions
- Single-use plastic commodity
- A plastic item intended to be used once for the same purpose before being disposed of or recycled (rule 3(va))1.1
- Non-woven plastic bag
- A bag made of plastic sheet or web-structured fabric of entangled plastic fibres or filaments bonded by mechanical, thermal or chemical means (rule 3(na))1.1
Sources for this analysis
- MoEFCC Gazette G.S.R. 571(E), 12 August 2021, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 Official · Consulted 14 October 2026
- MoEFCC Gazette G.S.R. 237(E), 31 March 2026, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026 Official · Consulted 14 October 2026
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha, Schedule entry for the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Official · Consulted 14 October 2026
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (No. 18 of 2023) Official · Consulted 14 October 2026
Written by the SPI team on 14 October 2026. Sources checked as of 14 October 2026. SPI analysis, not legal advice; always rely on the official text.
Change history
Verified: a second SPI team member re-checked every fact above against the source on 13 October 2026. Any later change to the facts sends the rule back to Sourced and is logged here.
Verified by a second SPI team member
Added to the tracker
Spotted an error? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com quoting PR-IN-004 and the source. Corrections are logged in this history.
Ban rules elsewhere
The same type of rule for the same materials in other jurisdictions, by the date it applies.
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