Rule 4 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 4 is the product rule of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. It sets conditions on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags, plastic sheets and plastic packaging: colour, minimum thickness, a ban on listed single-use items, special treatment of compostable plastics and rules for gutkha, tobacco and pan masala packaging.
These Rules are current as amended up to the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 237(E), 31 March 2026); the 2026 amendment did not change rule 4. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and notifications should be checked. If you make, import or sell carry bags, films or packaging and want your product range reviewed against rule 4, our compliance advisory team can do the review with you.
Carry bags of virgin or recycled plastic must be at least 120 microns thick from 31 December 2022 (75 microns applied from 30 September 2021), plastic sheets and covers at least 50 microns, and non-woven carry bags at least 60 GSM (rule 4(1)). Listed single-use plastic items are prohibited (rule 4(2)). The thickness rule does not apply to compostable or biodegradable carry bags and commodities, which need CPCB certification before marketing (rule 4(1)(h) and (ha)).
Who is covered
Rule 4 binds anyone who manufactures, imports, stocks, distributes, sells or uses carry bags, plastic sheets or like material, covers made of plastic sheet and plastic packaging (rule 4(1)). Export-oriented units and notified SEZ units working against an export order are outside rule 4, except for gutkha, tobacco and pan masala packaging and surplus or rejects (rule 2(2)); see rules 1 to 3.
Rule 4(1): the conditions
| Clause | Condition as printed |
|---|---|
| (a) | Carry bags and plastic packaging shall be in natural shade without added pigments, or made using only pigments and colourants that conform to Indian Standard IS 9833:1981 |
| (b) | Carry bags and products made of recycled plastic may be used for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging ready to eat or drink foodstuff, subject to the notification of appropriate standards and regulations by FSSAI under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 |
| (c) | Carry bags of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than 75 microns from 30 September 2021 and 120 microns from 31 December 2022 |
| (d) | Plastic sheet or like, not an integral part of multilayered packaging, and covers made of plastic sheet used for packaging or wrapping a commodity, shall not be less than 50 microns, except as the Central Government specifies where the thickness would impair the functionality of the product |
| (e) | A manufacturer shall not sell or provide or arrange plastic as raw material to a producer or seller not registered under the Rules |
| (f) | Sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala |
| (g) | Recycling of plastic waste shall conform to IS 14534:1998, as amended from time to time |
| (h) | The thickness provision of clause (c) does not apply to carry bags or commodities of compostable or biodegradable plastics; carry bags and commodities of compostable plastics shall conform to IS/ISO 17088:2021 |
| (ha) | Carry bags and commodities may be made from compostable or biodegradable plastics subject to mandatory marking and labelling under the Rules and FSSAI regulations for food contact; their manufacturers shall obtain a certificate from the CPCB before marketing or selling |
| (i) | Plastic material in any form, including Vinyl Acetate - Maleic Acid - Vinyl Chloride Copolymer, shall not be used in any package for gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms |
| (j) | A non-woven plastic carry bag shall not be less than 60 GSM from 30 September 2021 |
Three points need attention. First, clause (e) puts a duty on the raw material maker: a resin or pellet manufacturer must check that its producer or seller customers are registered. Second, clause (b) ties the use of recycled plastic in food contact to the FSSAI's standards, so the rule alone does not authorise it; our article on recycled plastics in food packaging covers the food-side view. Third, the thickness dates are printed in the rule itself, so no date needs to be computed.
Rule 4(2) and (3): prohibited single-use plastic commodities
Rule 4(2) prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following single-use plastic commodities, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, with effect from 1 July 2022:
- (a) ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks and polystyrene for decoration;
- (b) plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, and stirrers.
Rule 4(3) says the prohibition in sub-rule (2)(b) does not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic and biodegradable plastics. A product made of those materials is therefore outside the (b) list but still needs the marking, labelling and CPCB certificate conditions of clause (ha).
Rule 4(3A), (4) and (5): reporting, notice period and pre-consumer waste
- Reporting (3A). A manufacturer of commodities from compostable or biodegradable plastics shall report to the CPCB the quantity of such commodities introduced in the market and the pre-consumer waste generated.
- Ten-year lead time (4). Any notification prohibiting the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags, plastic sheets or like, covers made of plastic sheets and multilayered packaging and single-use plastic commodities, issued after the notification, shall come into force only after ten years from its publication. The text is printed in the rule; whether and how it applies to a particular later notification should be read from that notification.
- Pre-consumer waste (5). Every manufacturer of commodities made from plastic or part thereof shall ensure processing of the pre-consumer plastic waste generated as reject or discard at the manufacturing stage and shall report to the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee concerned.
Consequences
Rule 4 prints no penalty of its own. Contravention of the Rules attracts rule 19 and, through it, section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the position explained in rules 16 to 19 and sections 15 to 15B of the Act. Since the 2026 amendment, the local body is the enforcement authority for the restriction on carry bags, sheets, covers, packaging and the items prohibited under rule 4, as explained in rules 12 to 14.
Who is affected
Carry bag and film manufacturers, resin and pellet sellers, importers of plastic-packed goods, retailers and shopkeepers, caterers, event decorators and gutkha, tobacco and pan masala packers are affected directly. A retailer is also affected, because stocking and sale of prohibited items are covered, not only manufacture.
Example
Sunrise Retail Private Limited stocks branded carry bags from two suppliers. The compliance executive checks that each bag is at least 120 microns, that colourants conform to the Indian Standard in clause (a), and that no listed single-use item such as plastic cutlery or straws is on the shelf. A supplier offers compostable bags below 120 microns; the executive asks for the CPCB certificate required by clause (ha) and for proof of IS/ISO 17088:2021 conformity under clause (h) before buying.
Need help with carry bag and packaging compliance?
Rule 4 reaches the whole chain from resin to retail shelf, so a gap at any point creates exposure for the next. Our compliance advisory team can help you review product specifications, supplier registrations and certificates against the rule.
Key takeaways
- Carry bags of virgin or recycled plastic must be at least 120 microns from 31 December 2022; plastic sheets at least 50 microns; non-woven bags at least 60 GSM.
- Listed single-use items, including cutlery, straws, plates, cups and PVC banners below 100 micron, are prohibited from 1 July 2022.
- Compostable and biodegradable plastics are outside the thickness rule and the clause (b) list but need marking, certification and standards conformity.
- A resin or pellet manufacturer may not supply an unregistered producer or seller.
- Gutkha, tobacco and pan masala packaging has its own prohibitions.
Read next
- Rules 5, 6, 7 and 7A: local bodies and panchayats
- Schedule I and Schedule II paragraphs 1 to 6: EPR guidelines
- Rules 1 to 3: application and definitions
- Use of recycled plastics in food packaging
Disclaimer: Based on the environment rules, guidelines and notifications named above as published in the Gazette of India, read with every amendment notified up to 3 October 2026 that the article names (consolidated reading texts from the CPCB 2021 compilation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board 2025 compilation were checked against the amending notifications), as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines, State Board orders and fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.