New Standard for Biodegradable Plastics in India

Listen to the above audio to find out how India’s new biodegradable plastic standard, IS 17899 T:2022, sets strict scientific requirements to ensure that plastics marketed as “biodegradable” genuinely break down in the environment. Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, all biodegradable plastics must be tested in BIS recognised or NABL accredited laboratories, and manufacturers must obtain certification from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before placing products on the market. The standard measures real biodegradation performance, ensuring that only materials proven to degrade under defined conditions can be sold as biodegradable in India. Compostable plastics are regulated separately under IS/ISO 17088:2021.