Under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2025, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) may provide the information required under Rule 11(1) through a QR code or barcode printed on plastic packaging, effective from 1 July 2025.
There are two practical ways to set this up.
Option 1: Create Your Own QR-Linked Packaging Page
This is the simplest open approach.
Step 1: Prepare the information
Identify the information applicable to the packaging, such as:
- PIBO name
- EPR registration details
- Packaging category
- Plastic material
- Recycling or disposal information
- Other applicable disclosures
Step 2: Create a webpage
Create a dedicated page for the product or packaging, for example:
company.com/packaging/product-001
Avoid linking the QR code only to the company homepage.
Step 3: Generate the QR code
Use the Free QR Code Generator available on OER.
Paste the webpage URL, generate the QR code, download it and add it to the packaging artwork.
Step 4: Test before printing
Check the QR code on different smartphones and at the actual print size. Avoid placing it over folds, seals or highly curved areas.
This approach works well for businesses that want to create and manage their own disclosure pages.
Option 2: Use a Digital Packaging Passport
Businesses with multiple products, SKUs or packaging formats may prefer a more structured system.
A Digital Packaging Passport provides a dedicated digital record for each product or packaging configuration, connected through a unique QR code.
For example, EcoTag™ Digital Packaging Passport provides a ready-made framework for creating and maintaining QR-linked packaging information without businesses having to build their own system from scratch.
The basic flow remains:
Packaging → QR Code → Digital Packaging Information
This approach can be useful where packaging information needs to be organised, maintained and updated across a larger product portfolio.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Choose the open QR approach if you have a limited number of products and are comfortable maintaining your own webpages.
Choose a Digital Packaging Passport if you need a structured system for multiple products, packaging types or ongoing information management.
In both cases, remember that a QR code is only a disclosure mechanism. EPR registration, targets, returns and other statutory obligations under the Plastic Waste Management Rules continue to apply separately.