PANAJI
With Goa’s ambitious Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) for liquor and liquor-based products set to be implemented in April 2027, the DRS Authority will monitor the impact and operational challenges during the initial transition phase before expanding the scheme to other products.
Sources said the Authority would assess implementation on the ground and address operational difficulties as they arise. The Authority is also open to receiving concrete, time-bound and implementation-focused suggestions from stakeholders, including the International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI), which could be examined for issuing further operational guidance.
“The DRS Authority will continue to monitor implementation impacts during the initial transition phase before expanding the scope to other products,” sources said, adding that the Authority would extend necessary assistance wherever operational stress emerges.
Sources clarified that full infrastructure saturation would not be required at the initial stage, with implementation to be scaled up progressively depending on readiness and volumes.
The government had announced the postponement of the proposed rollout from September 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027. All producers, importers, brand owners and other obligated entities (PIBOs) dealing in liquor and liquor-based products will have to obtain DRS registration on or before February 28, 2027. Registration will be mandatory for placing such products in the market.
In another step towards operationalising the scheme, the Authority, in consultation with the Excise Department, has standardised the requirements for Universal Serial Identifier (USI)/QR-code labelling. The requirements are expected to be formally notified soon, sources said.
Nearly 2,000 establishments in the hotels, restaurants and cafés (HoReCa) segment have already registered under the scheme, with onboarding continuing even during the tourist season.
Phase I will cover liquor and liquor-based commodities packaged in glass, plastic, metal and other notified packaging materials. The scope will also include multi-layered packaging and liquid packaging boards.
