India's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for used oil is one of the most significant environmental compliance requirements for lubricant manufacturers and importers in 2024–26. Under GSR 677(E) dated 2 August 2023, any company that places lubricants on the Indian market must meet annual recycling targets — or face Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Environmental Compensation.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what EPR certificates are, who needs them, how targets work, current prices, how to buy certificates, and what happens if you miss your annual deadline.
As of early 2025, only approximately 33 recyclers are registered on India's Used Oil EPR portal. Lubricant producers collectively place millions of litres on market. This extreme supply-demand imbalance means EPR certificate prices are expected to rise sharply through 2030–31.
What Is an EPR Certificate for Used Oil?
An EPR certificate for used oil is a tradeable compliance instrument issued by a CPCB-registered recycler on the CPCB Used Oil EPR Portal (eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in). Each certificate represents one tonne of used oil that has been legitimately collected and re-refined at a CPCB Category IV authorized plant.
When a producer buys certificates from a recycler, the recycler transfers them digitally on the CPCB portal to the producer's account. The producer then uses these certificates to demonstrate compliance with their annual EPR target to CPCB.
Key facts about EPR certificates:
- Issued by registered recyclers only — not by brokers or intermediaries
- Transferred digitally on eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in — no physical documents
- Valid for 2 years from end of the financial year of issue
- Cannot be resold between producers — only recycler-to-producer transfer
- Weightage: re-refining (Category IV) = 1.0 (highest)
Who Needs EPR Certificates?
Under GSR 677(E) 2023, the following entities are classified as registered producers and must meet annual EPR targets:
- Lubricant manufacturers — any company manufacturing engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils, industrial lubricants, or greases in India
- Lubricant importers — any entity importing finished lubricants for sale in India
- Brand owners — companies that sell lubricants under their brand name, even if manufactured by a third party
If your company sells lubricants in India and is registered on the CPCB Used Oil EPR portal, you are a registered producer and must comply with annual targets.
EPR Targets by Financial Year
Targets are expressed as a percentage of lubricants placed on market by the producer in the reference year. Here are the mandatory targets:
| Financial Year | EPR Target (% of market) | Est. Certificate Price/Tonne | Market Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024–25 | 5–10% | ₹200–350 | Compliance deadline passed (Mar 2026) |
| FY 2025–26 | 10–20% | ₹300–500 | Current year — active |
| FY 2026–27 ⚡ | 20–30% | ₹500–800 | IEX market launch expected Oct 2026 |
| FY 2027–28 | 30–40% | ₹800–1,200 | Projected |
| FY 2030–31 | 50% | ₹1,500–2,500 | Long-term projection |
Source: CPCB GSR 677(E) 2023. Price estimates based on current market data and compliance market projections. Actual prices may vary.
How to Buy EPR Certificates for Used Oil
The process for buying EPR certificates has three steps:
Step 1 — Register as a Producer on the CPCB Portal
If you have not already done so, register your organization as a lubricant producer on eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in. You will need your GSTIN, PAN, manufacturing/import license details, and annual lubricant sales volumes.
Step 2 — Contact a Registered Recycler
Only CPCB-registered recyclers can issue EPR certificates. As of 2025, approximately 33 recyclers are registered nationally. Bharat Industrial Oil Company (BIOC) is a CPCB-registered recycler with EPR Recycler Registration No. BHA20250073R, registered on the CPCB portal with a capacity of 3,240 MTA. You can contact us at +91 81144 93215 or via WhatsApp.
Step 3 — Transfer on CPCB Portal
Once you agree on price and quantity, the recycler initiates a certificate transfer on eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in to your producer account. The entire process is digital — no physical documents change hands. You receive a transfer confirmation on the CPCB portal that serves as your compliance record.
You can buy EPR certificates directly from BIOC — no broker or intermediary required. Direct purchase means lower cost for you and faster processing. Contact us at info@biocil.in or call +91 81144 93215.
Certificate Validity and Carry-Forward Rules
EPR certificates for used oil are valid for 2 years from the end of the financial year in which they are issued. Practical rules:
- FY2024–25 certificates: valid until March 31, 2027
- FY2025–26 certificates: valid until March 31, 2028
- Producers can carry forward up to 10% additional buffer beyond their current year target
- Prior year shortfalls can be covered by purchasing certificates in the current year
- Certificates cannot be resold between registered producers
Penalties for Non-Compliance
If you miss your annual EPR target, CPCB levies Environmental Compensation (EC). Key points:
- EC rate is set by CPCB based on the volume of shortfall
- Minimum EPR certificate price = 30% of EC rate — certificates are always cheaper than the penalty
- Maximum EPR certificate price = 100% of EC rate
- Repeated non-compliance can result in suspension of import licences and production authorizations
- There is no statute of limitations — prior year shortfalls accumulate and must still be covered
The annual compliance deadline for FY2024-25 has passed (March 2026). If your organization has unmet EPR targets from FY2024-25, CPCB Environmental Compensation may already be accruing. Contact us immediately — we can transfer certificates to cover prior-year shortfalls. Certificate validity covers 2 years from FY end, so FY24-25 certificates are still valid until March 2027.
Documentation for ESG and Audit Teams
For organizations with ESG reporting requirements (BRSR, GRI, CDP, or internal sustainability reports), EPR certificate purchase should be documented with:
- CPCB portal transfer confirmation (downloaded from eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in)
- Recycler's CPCB authorization certificate (request from recycler)
- Invoice / agreement for certificate purchase
- Annual EPR compliance return filed on CPCB portal
BIOC provides all supporting documents in a packaged format for your EHS team upon request.
Why Buy EPR Certificates from BIOC?
- CPCB Registered — Reg. No. BHA20250073R, issued September 2025. Your certificates are legally valid and traceable on the CPCB portal.
- Direct transfer — no broker — we transfer certificates directly to your CPCB account. Faster, cheaper, no middleman margin.
- 40 years of operating experience — CPCB Category IV re-refiner since 1986. Track record with India's most regulated industries.
- Pan-India coverage — if you want to source certificates through oil collection from your own facilities, we operate pan-India with Form-10 documentation.
- Audit-ready documentation — every certificate transfer includes full documentation for your PCB audit, ESG report, or procurement audit.
Get EPR Certificates for Your FY2025–26 Compliance
Contact BIOC directly. We respond within 2 hours. Certificate transfer within 3–5 business days of agreement.