To buy a genuine EPR certificate for FY 2026–27, purchase credits from a CPCB-registered Plastic Waste Processor (PWP), verify the GST e-invoice against the transaction, and confirm the credit appears in your official portal account. A PDF certificate or invoice alone does not prove that a credit is genuine or available for compliance. Explore Fitsol’s EPR compliance services.
What Is an EPR Certificate?
An Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificate is a regulatory record used to support compliance with prescribed waste-management obligations.
Under India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) must meet their plastic packaging waste-management obligations through registration, reporting and recognised waste-processing credits.
Before you buy EPR certificates, identify whether you need an EPR registration certificate or an EPR credit certificate. They serve different purposes, and one does not replace the other.
What Is the Difference Between an EPR Registration Certificate and an EPR Credit Certificate?
An EPR registration certificate confirms a business’s registration, while an EPR credit certificate records eligible waste processing that can be used to meet EPR obligations.
EPR registration certificate
- What it proves: The business has obtained its required regulatory registration.
- Who issues it: CPCB or the relevant SPCB/PCC, depending on registration requirements.
- Can you buy it? No. The business must apply for its own registration.
- Does it replace a credit certificate? No. Registration does not fulfil credit-based obligations.
EPR credit certificate
- What it proves: Eligible waste processing has been recorded as a credit.
- Who issues it: A registered Plastic Waste Processor generates the certificate through the prescribed portal process.
- Can you buy it? Yes, through the authorised process and electronic trading platform.
- Does it replace a registration certificate? No. Buying credits does not replace mandatory registration.
Businesses operating across more than two states generally register with CPCB, while businesses operating in one or two states or Union Territories generally register with the relevant SPCB/PCC, subject to applicable rules.
What Changed in 2026 for EPR Certificates?
Four changes make portal verification and registered counterparties particularly important in FY 2026–27.
First, CPCB discontinued the former centralised Plastic EPR Portal on 28 June 2026 and migrated registered users’ data to the Common EPR Portal. Businesses should verify their migrated records and report discrepancies.
Second, registered businesses access the consolidated EPR system using a Common EPR ID (CEPR ID). Businesses should link their accounts and verify their registration and credit records at epr.cpcb.gov.in.
Third, CPCB’s directive dated 27 August 2026, File No. 20/15/2025-UPCII-H.O-CPCB Part (1), provides for discontinuing portal recording of purchase or sale transactions with unregistered entities, except for applicable transactions involving Micro & Small Brand Owners and PWPs. Verify the registration status of your transaction counterparties through the official CPCB website and the Common EPR Portal.
Fourth, in February 2026, CPCB set up the EPR Electronic Trading Platform (EPR-ETP), which consolidates EPR certificate trading across all EPR rules.
Who Can Sell EPR Credit Certificates in India?
Registered Plastic Waste Processors can generate plastic packaging EPR credits through authorised processing activities and the prescribed portal process.
These processing routes include:
- Plastic waste recycling.
- Waste-to-energy processing.
- Waste-to-oil processing.
- Eligible co-processing and other permitted end-of-life processing.
- Industrial composting (for compostable plastics).
Not every recycler, waste-processing facility or cement plant can generate valid credits. Verify the processor’s registration, authorised activity and ability to generate the certificate category you need.
Explore Fitsol Greenfind for information about EPR credits and sourcing options.
How Do You Buy EPR Certificates Through the Official System?
Follow these five steps before counting a credit towards your compliance obligation.
Step 1: Calculate your EPR requirement. Review your plastic packaging data, material categories, registration details and targets for FY 2026–27. Establish the credit category and quantity your business needs. EPR obligations and credits are mass-based, measured by weight of plastic processed.
Step 2: Verify the processor. Check the seller’s registration on the Common EPR Portal and confirm that its authorised processing activity supports the credit category being offered. Verify the registration status of your buyer or seller as required by the rules.
Step 3: Confirm the transaction terms. Obtain a written quotation identifying the credit category, quantity, rate, taxes, invoice details and transaction process. Confirm that the transaction can be completed through the authorised electronic system.
Step 4: Validate the GST e-invoice. Check the seller and buyer GST details, invoice number, date, Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and QR code as practical verification steps. Confirm that the invoice matches the actual transaction and passes the required validation. Retain the invoice and supporting records.
Step 5: Confirm the portal record. Check the generated or transferred credit in the official system. Match the certificate category, quantity, processor details and transaction status against the supporting documents. Retain the invoice, payment record and portal confirmation for your compliance files.
How Do You Verify an EPR Certificate Is Genuine?
A genuine EPR credit must be supported by a registered processor, a valid transaction and a verifiable portal record.
Use these six checks before purchasing or claiming a credit:
- Check the processor’s registration. Match its identity and authorised activities against official records.
- Review processing capacity. Compare the quantity of credits offered with the processor’s reported processing capacity and supporting records. Unsupported volumes require further investigation.
- Validate the GST e-invoice and confirm it matches the transaction.
- Match the portal record. Verify the credit generation or transfer record and reconcile it with the invoice and payment documents.
- Confirm credit status. Check that the credit is available, has not already been used or transferred, and can be applied to your intended obligation.
- Maintain an audit trail. Retain processor details, invoices, payment records and transaction confirmations.
These checks matter because a document can look genuine without representing actual waste processing. In an order dated 26 July 2024, the National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a report concerning approximately six lakh allegedly fake EPR certificates and concerns about certificates exceeding processors’ actual recycling capacity.
An offline quotation, payment receipt, invoice or PDF certificate is not sufficient on its own. If a credit cannot be verified or fails to meet the applicable requirements, it may be disputed or rejected. A credit that doesn’t count leaves a shortfall, and unfulfilled targets carry environmental compensation.
Can EPR Certificates Be Traded?
Plastic packaging EPR certificates can be traded electronically between registered participants through the prescribed system.
Since February 2026, certificate trading runs on CPCB’s EPR Electronic Trading Platform (EPR-ETP). Businesses should verify the counterparty, credit status and transaction record before treating a traded credit as available for compliance.
How Much Do EPR Certificates Cost in India?
EPR certificate rates vary by category, processing route, supply, demand and transaction terms. Request a current, category-specific quotation that states the quantity, rate, taxes and verification process.
When Should PIBOs Buy EPR Certificates for FY 2026–27?
Review your registration, packaging data and estimated obligations early in the financial year, monitor credit requirements throughout the year, and reconcile portal records before annual filing. Confirm current deadlines and certificate validity through CPCB notifications rather than relying on previous years’ timelines.
How Can Fitsol Help With EPR Compliance?
Fitsol sources EPR certificates from CPCB-registered recyclers, pan-India, and shares options within 5 working days. Fitsol also handles EPR registration and supplies e-waste, battery and tyre certificates.
Carrying an FY 2025–26 shortfall? It can still be fulfilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is an EPR registration certificate the same as an EPR credit certificate? No. Registration confirms a business’s regulatory registration, while a credit certificate records eligible waste processing for meeting EPR obligations.
2. Where can I verify a plastic packaging EPR certificate? Start with the CPCB Common EPR Portal and check the credit record against the processor’s registration and GST e-invoice.
3. Can I buy EPR credits from any recycler? No. The processor must be registered and authorised to generate the certificate category being purchased, and the transaction must follow the prescribed process.
4. Is a GST e-invoice enough to prove an EPR certificate is genuine? No. Verify the invoice alongside the processor’s registration, processing records, credit status and official portal transaction.
5. Can a business fulfil an FY 2025–26 EPR shortfall now? Yes. An FY 2025–26 shortfall can still be fulfilled. Fitsol can share certificate options within 5 working days.
(How does your team check an EPR credit before you count it: the portal record, the processor’s capacity, or the invoice alone? | Answer in the comment section.)
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