The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective March 31, 2026, marking a significant overhaul of India's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for plastic waste. The amendment introduces mandatory recycled content targets requiring manufacturers to incorporate 30% to 60% recycled content in rigid plastic packaging by 2028-29, creating direct market demand for recycled plastic. A plastic credit trading system has been established, allowing producers who exceed their EPR targets to sell surplus credits to those falling short — a market-based mechanism designed to incentivise over-compliance and make EPR obligations more economically flexible. The rules also introduce a 3-year carryforward provision for unmet EPR targets, enabling producers to offset shortfalls in future years instead of facing immediate penalties, easing the transition for smaller manufacturers. Digital tracking via Registered Environment Auditors (REAs) is mandated for the entire plastic value chain, improving transparency and reducing fraudulent EPR certificate claims that had plagued the previous system. EPR under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended 2022) placed responsibility on producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) to collect and recycle plastic waste equivalent to what they introduce into the market. The 2026 amendments strengthen enforcement by linking recycled content mandates to procurement, creating financial instruments through credit trading, and digitalising the compliance ecosystem. Based on SPCB/PCC data reported to CPCB, India's plastic waste generation was 41,36,188 tonnes in 2022-23. These rules are expected to accelerate the transition to a circular plastic economy.