Page 14 - Plastics News January 2021

AipmA At work

NGT / Him Jagriti case follow-up

n a recent order The National Green Tribunal has use and for use in case of pregnant women and women of
Idirected the Food Safety and Standards Authority reproductive age group.
of India (FSSAI) to finalise the draft Food Safety and With respect to standards of plastic containers and primary
Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2020 packaging of pharmaceuticals, all containers and closures
within three months. The NGT was hearing a petition filed intended for use shall comply with the Pharmacopeia and
by NGO Him Jagriti Uttaranchal Welfare Society seeking other specified requirements.
ban on the use of plastic bottle and multi-layered/plastic
packages /pet bottles Suitable sample sizes, specifications, test methods,
cleaning procedures and sterilization procedures, shall
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar be used to assure that containers, closures and other
Goel said the issue of use of plastic bottles and multi component parts of drug packages are suitable and are
layered plastic packages for packaging of carbonated soft not reactive, additive, adsorptive or leachable or presents
drinks, liquor and other items also needs to be further the risk of toxicity to an extent that significantly affects
considered by the concerned authorities. "The FSSAI may the quality or purity of the drug.
finalise the draft regulations as far as possible within three
months which may be enforced and monitored through a No second hand or used containers and closures shall
credible monitoring mechanism," the bench said. be used. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to
follow the Standards laid down in Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Petition by Him Jagriti Uttaranchal Welfare
Society The tribunal said that in view of the revision of the
Pharmacopeia, the adverse health effect of plastic
The petition was filled by a Non-profit Organisation, Him packaging has been regulated to an extent.The matter
Jagriti Uttaranchal Welfare Society seeking consideration being required to be primarily dealt with by the concerned
for restriction on use of plastic bottles and multi layered Executive authorities, it is not consider necessary to
plastic packages for packaging of carbonated soft drink, pass any further order in exercise of jurisdiction under
liquor and other items, in view of the adverse impact of Sections 14 and 15 of the National Green Tribunal Act,
such packaging on the environment and public health. The 2010.However, it is necessary to ensure that compliance
plea also adds on the issue of increase in plastic waste of the norms is duly monitored at appropriate level of the
however main concern is health consequences from the Health Ministry to safeguard the health of the citizen.
use of plastic for packaging and not with the management
of plastic packaging as waste. The issue so far considered appears to deal only with the
remedialaction against adverse effect of packaging of
The bench headed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) drugs for vulnerable groupsbut the issue of use of plastic
Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed Food bottles and multi layered plastic packagesfor packaging of
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalize carbonated soft drinks, liquor and other items alsoneeds
draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment to be further considered by the concerned authorities,
Regulations, 2020 within 3 months.
includingthe BIS, FSSAI and MoEF&CC.
The regulations shall relate to specific migration limits of
Antinomy and Phthalic acid, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Plastic pens are covered under the statutory
(DEHP) and Packaging of Drinking Water. Framework for PWM Rules: NGT
In response to the Application No. 29/2020 against the
The Directorate General of Health Services told the NGT unchecked use of plastic pens having adverse impact
that the Ministry of Health has published draft rules on the environment. It was submitted that 91 per cent
for prohibition of use of Polyethylene Teraphthalate or of the plastic waste so generated is not recycled. 1600
plastic containers in liquid oral formulations for primary to 2400 million pieces are brought to the market every
packaging of drug formulations for pediatric use, geriatric
year. The extended producers’ liability is not being duly

Plastics News Januar y 2021 14