Single-Use Plastic Free Certification

Overview

Uncovering the Impact of Single-Use Plastics

From packaging and bottles to straws and cutlery, single-use plastics offer quick convenience but leave behind lasting harm. Made from fossil fuel based materials, they don't biodegrade instead, they fragment into microplastics that pollute soil, waterways, and even the air we breathe. Their production and disposal release greenhouse gases, overload landfills, and threaten ecosystems. To address this, the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, effective July 1, 2022, ban key single-use items across India, including plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers, carry bags below 120 microns, and plastic wrapping for candy, ice creams and cigarette packets.

The Single-Use Plastic Free Certification by IRQS enables organizations to turn compliance into meaningful action. It helps identify, replace and eliminate single-use plastics from operations and supply chains while strengthening sustainability credentials. By adopting reusable, recyclable or compostable alternatives, certified businesses cut waste, reduce emissions and support India's transition toward a cleaner, circular economy.

Why Avoid Single Use Plastics

Protect the planet, conserve resources, and promote sustainable, responsible consumption.

Non Biodegradability

Single use plastics take centuries to decompose. As they fragment into microplastics, they contaminate oceans, soil, and air, posing serious threats to wildlife and ecosystems. Reducing their use helps restore environmental balance and biodiversity.

Resource Intensive

Producing plastics demands large amounts of fossil fuels and energy. By shifting to sustainable materials, organizations can reduce carbon emissions, save natural resources, and support a low carbon future.

Health Risks

Harmful chemicals such as BPA and phthalates leach from plastics into food and water, endangering human and animal health. Choosing certified, safer alternatives protects wellbeing and supports environmental safety.

Littering Impact

Discarded plastics create visual pollution, clog waterways, and damage urban and natural environments. Avoiding them keeps communities cleaner and prevents harm to marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Corporate Responsibility

As businesses, we play a key role in driving sustainable change. By eliminating single use plastics and partnering with IRQS (Indian Register Quality Systems), organizations demonstrate leadership, accountability, and commitment to a circular economy.

Government of India Regulations

To combat the escalating plastic pollution crisis, the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 came into effect on July 1, 2022. These regulations prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of specific single-use plastic (SUP) items across India.

Items Covered Under the Ban:

Plastic cutlery, including spoons, forks, and knives
Plastic straws and stirrers used in beverages and packaging
Carry bags below 75 microns (to be increased to 120 microns)
Plastic wrapping for products such as candy, ice creams, and cigarette packets

Why go plastic-free?

Rethink Plastics, Restore the Planet

Reduce harm, restore balance, and drive meaningful change through plastic free practices that protect people and the planet.

Every piece of plastic ever made still exists today. Eliminating single use plastics helps prevent pollution, conserve ecosystems, and safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
Adopting plastic free policies positions your organization as a sustainability leader. Responsible practices strengthen brand reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious partners and customers.
India's Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021, enforce strict limits on single use plastics. Complying with these laws demonstrates corporate accountability, avoids penalties, and ensures smooth, lawful operations.
Modern consumers prefer ethical, eco friendly brands. Reducing plastic use shows commitment to sustainability, builds trust, and increases brand loyalty in competitive markets.

>

DOWNLOAD OUR SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING AND ASSURANCE BROCHURES

Access Detailed Program Information

Learn how the Single-Use Plastic Free Certification helps organizations comply with India's plastic regulations, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable alternatives. The brochure outlines the certification process, key focus areas, benefits, and compliance steps helping your business demonstrate environmental responsibility, achieve regulatory alignment, and support a plastic-free, circular economy.

OUR APPROACH

Steps towards Certification

Step 1: Application & Contract Review

Begin your RPM journey by submitting your application and confirming certification requirements with IRQS.

Step 2: Desktop Review:

Share policies, material mapping, procurement, and waste records. IRQS reviews documentation against Single-Use Plastic Free requirements and identifies gaps.

Step 3: Stage 1 – Onsite / Online Audit

IRQS auditors conduct an initial evaluation of systems, implementation practices, and supporting records to verify compliance readiness.

Step 4: Stage 2 – Gap Closure Review

Address non-conformities or improvement areas identified during Stage 1. Corrective actions are verified before final certification.

Step 5: Certification Issuance – 1 or 3 Years

Once compliance is confirmed, IRQS issues the certification valid for 1 or 3 years, based on audit outcomes.

Step 6: Surveillance 1 & 2

Annual or biannual surveillance audits ensure continued compliance, monitor progress, and encourage continual improvement in plastic-free operations.

OUR APPROACH

Steps Towards Certification

Step 1: Application & Contract Review

Begin your RPM journey by submitting your application and confirming certification requirements with IRQS.

Step 2: Desktop Review

Share policies, material mapping, procurement, and waste records. IRQS reviews documentation against Single-Use Plastic Free requirements and identifies gaps.

Step 3: Stage 1 – Onsite / Online Audit

IRQS auditors conduct an initial evaluation of systems, implementation practices, and supporting records to verify compliance readiness.

Step 4: Stage 2 – Gap Closure Review

Address non-conformities or improvement areas identified during Stage 1. Corrective actions are verified before final certification.

Step 5: Certification Issuance – 1 or 3 Years

Once compliance is confirmed, IRQS issues the certification valid for 1 or 3 years, based on audit outcomes.

Step 6: Surveillance 1 & 2

Annual or biannual surveillance audits ensure continued compliance, monitor progress, and encourage continual improvement in plastic-free operations.

Partner with IRClass

IRClass - IRQS for Trusted Single-Use Plastic Free Certification

Lead the change toward a cleaner future with the IRClass–IRQS Single-Use Plastic Free Certification, a trusted mark of your organization's commitment to sustainability. This certification demonstrates proactive action to eliminate single-use plastics, reduce pollution, and safeguard natural ecosystems. By replacing disposable materials with reusable or compostable alternatives, your business not only protects the environment but also enhances brand credibility and meets evolving regulatory and ESG expectations. Going plastic-free positions your organization as a sustainability leader driving operational efficiency, inspiring responsible consumption, and contributing to India's transition toward a circular economy. With IRQS, make your commitment measurable, impactful, and visible to the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 Training Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Questions—Answered

ISO 9001 course is created and developed to increase the awareness on the latest version of ISO 9001:2015 standard. It focuses on the requirements while providing an overall understanding of the management systems and the consolidated quality management system. It contains 40 hours of course material and training hours. ISO training offers a culture of learning, awareness and continual improvement of the management system.

Get Certified with Confidence

Start your journey today with trusted experts in certification, assurance and training who make the process simple seamless and stress free.

Get Certified

Single-Use Plastic Free
Certification

Uncovering the Impact of Single-Use Plastics