On 23rd June 2022, the Bureau of Indian Standards issued a list of Frequently Asked Questions in regard to IS 17899 T:2022 Assessment of Biodegradable of Plastic in Varied Conditions. The FAQs issued are in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM) 2022 and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines which states that Biodegradable Plastics are required to be granted certification in accordance with the set standards of BIS. Therefore, for the maintenance of the compliance measures of the PWN Rules, the Standards were required to be published on a priority basis.
The FAQs Circular states that as the Tentative and Provisional Indian Standards were drafted and issued on a priority basis, the technical accuracy would be difficult to determine on account of the technology being relatively new and is yet to be proven commercially. The issued Standards for the Assessment of Biodegradability of Plastics in Varied Conditions are valid for up to 2 years, with the applicable commodity being reviewed by the Sectional Committee prior to the date of expiration upon which it is to be established as a regular standard. If the Sectional Committee determines that the established standards are not to be implemented with or without any modification, then the Tentative and Provisional Indian Standards are to lapse as soon as the validity period of 2 years is over.