E-waste Management Authorization in India
Electronic waste or e-waste is produced when any electrical device becomes unfit for its original use or has passed its expiration date. Getting E-waste Authorization is necessary to manage such waste. Here are the complete details. New versions readily replace old electronic devices. This is due to the fast technological developments and the creation of new electronic equipment. It has resulted in an exponential rise in e-waste, especially in India. People prefer to upgrade to newer versions and cutting-edge technologies. This is especially because the product life span shortens over time. Thus, the problem of e-waste management in India and its difficulties evolve continuously.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Design for Environment
- (3Rs) which stands for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle technology platform for connecting the market and facilitating the circular economy
Importance of managing E-waste
Silver and other valuable metals are found in electronic devices. But only 10% of them are recovered. The rest end up in the garbage. By recovering valuable metals, we can conserve the natural resources.
By recycling electronic waste, you can get rid of hazardous elements. This list includes mercury, chromium and cadmium present in electronic goods. In addition to being dangerous to human life, these elements harm the environment.
Poisonous substances harm the ecosystem. This affects plants, trees, humans and animals. It can also cause human suffering and loss of life. Notably, e-waste recycling has become important.
The recycling process decreases the demand for new raw materials. This is because the process helps in the retrieval of precious materials.
Producing or managing new goods using recycled materials helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
There is another way to prevent electronic waste from ending up in landfills. The way is to repair, repurpose and give them for a good cause.
Overview of e-waste management in India
E-waste recycling is primarily an informal industry operation in India. Thousands of poor families survive by searching for materials from discarded waste. Common recycling practices include selling discarded waste from homes to informal sector purchasers. These buyers, known as 'kabadiwalas, purchase refuse paper, plastic, clothing, or metal from families. They then separate and retail this waste as an input material to artisanal/industrial processors.
In India, e-waste treatment follows a similar trend. Thousands of metropolitan families are employed in an unorganized e-waste recycling sector. They collect, segregate, sort, refurbish and dismantle used electrical and electronic equipment. However, the situation is different in developed countries. There is no notion of customers in India who willingly donate obsolete EEE at formal e-waste recycling sites. Furthermore, no customers are paying for the disposal of e-waste.
However, ensuring that the site is registered before dropping the e-waste at a recycling facility is necessary. Thu, those who are running the e-waste recycling facilities need the following licenses:
Challenges faced by the E-waste recycling industry
First : Absence of hefty fines for non-compliance or violations of e-waste handling and processing rules. Notably, obtaining E-waste authorization is an absolute must.
Second : The general public doesn’t know much about the market values. People are also unaware of the health and safety costs of e-waste disposal. This is because the employees involved in e-waste recycling are underpaid and lack appropriate training.
Third : Despite the huge rise in the yearly amount of e-waste, large-scale industrial infrastructure for collection and recycling gets very little funds.
Services under e-waste management authorization in India:
With Ecoserveindia's environmental licensing and compliance services, get end-to-end assistance. The team helps right from the beginning with documentation, legal consultation, and issue resolution. Skilled experts help entities registered in India to obtain e-waste management authorization. This helps in ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.
- We offer assistance in the entire procedure for establishing an e-waste recycling plant.
- Helping you with the necessary documents required for legal formalities to set up the plant
- Coordinating with the authorities in case of any roadblocks during the application process
- Providing legal assistance for all related issues throughout the application process.
- We offer assistance in arranging all necessary documents required for successful application submission.
- We help in liaising with the concerned authorities to meet all the norms
- We provide timely services related to setting up an e-waste dismantling plant
- Our experts are ready to solve all your queries
- We offer real-time solutions
- Offer legal assistance throughout the entire application process
- Expert assistance in solving all your related queries
- We complete all the documentation successfully for you
- We provide competitive solutions for filing your authorization application
- EcoserveIndia assists you in arranging all the necessary documents for EPR Authorisation for importer
- We offer consultation regarding the application filing procedure
- Provide support in communicating with the relevant authority
- We assist with obtaining an EPR Authorisation for Producers
- We support in arranging all the required documentation for the application
- Provide support throughout the process
- Offer legal advice at all the stages
- Our dedicated team leaves no stone unturned in providing you with feasible solutions
- Expert advice on all your business-related queries
- Hassle-free completion of all documentation
- Liaising with authorities to obtain EPR authorization for brand owners easily
- Skilled professionals at your disposal to obtain EPR Authorisation for E-waste Refurbisher
- Excellent guidance regarding your queries
- Working with authorities to remove all hurdles in the process
- Expert advice to make the process smooth
- EcoserveIndia provides help in completing the documentation
- Our team helps you prepare all necessary documentation for the smooth import of refurbished EEE
- We provide complete support in application submission
- Offering guidance throughout the process and for other compliance needs
- We provide complete guidance at every stage of obtaining an e-waste export license.
- Our experts help you arrange all the necessary documentation
- We excel at liaising with the authorities on your behalf
- We offer guidance at every step
- All-time assistance in helping you adhere to the environmental compliances
- Complete support in fulfilling the licensing needs
- Full guidance in obtaining a refurbishing licence in India
- Quickly completion of documentation needs
- Comprehensive arrangement of required documents
- Exclusive help in the filing process
- Skilled assistance for authority dealings
- End-to-End support for obtaining an e-waste recycling agreement
- Complete guidance in completing all the formalities
- Arranging documentation to participate in the MSTC Auction process
- Effectively coordinating with the concerned authorities
- Help in handling difficulties throughout the process
- Our team provides real-time solutions throughout the process
- Comprehensive coverage for all legal obligations
- Arranging all necessary documentation for obtaining PRO Authorisation
- Contacting concerned authorities to remove the obstacles
E-Waste Management Rules, 2016
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced the E-waste Management Rules in 2016. The rules highlight the following points.
- The rules introduced the producer responsibility organization (PRO), manufacturer, distributor and refurbishers.
- The rules also mandate to obtain the E-waste Management Authorization.
- In addition to the EEE specified in Schedule I, the rules now also extend to the parts. It now also includes consumables, replacements, and accessories for the equipment.
- Regulations now apply to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and other mercury-containing bulbs.
- A collection mechanism-based strategy has been implemented for producers. The producers must collect e-waste under Extended Producer Responsibility. The strategy includes collection centres, points, take-back mechanisms, etc.
- Producers must adopt EPR and guarantee effective e-waste channelization. New channels, including PRO, e-waste exchange, e-retailer and Deposit Refund Scheme, have been suggested to do so.
- A provision for Pan-India EPR authorization has replaced state-by-state EPR permission.
- Under EPR Authorization, e-waste collection and channelization must adhere to the rules' goals outlined in Schedule III.
- In terms of
- The rules introduced the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS). The scheme allows the manufacturer to charge an additional amount as a deposit while selling EEE. The manufacturer must refund the collected amount when the consumer returns the used EEE.
- EWM rules for e-waste exchange as an option as a separate/independent market instrument. The exchange can also happen as an independent electronic system providing services. The trade allows the sale and purchase of e-waste generated from old EEE. The exchange happens between agencies or organizations authorized under E-waste management rules.
- In addition to obtaining e-waste authorization from the SPCB, the manufacturer is now responsible for collecting electronic waste. This waste is generated during the manufacturing of any EEE. It is then sent for recycling or disposal.
- If the dealer has been assigned to collect e-waste on the producer's behalf, he or she must do so. This must be done by giving the customer a box and sending it to the manufacturer.
- The dealer, retailer, or e-retailer must return the funds to the e-waste depositor. This must be as per the producer's take-back system or Deposit Refund Scheme.
- Refurbishers must obtain a one-time e-waste management authorization from SPCB. Additionally, they must collect the e-waste generated during the refurbishment process. The collected waste must be sent to an authorized dismantler or recycler from its collection centre.
- The EWM rules also include the roles of the State Government to protect the health, safety and skill development of workers. These workers are involved in the dismantling and recycling process.
- The manifest system must be followed when transporting electronic waste. It includes the sender providing the transporter with three document copies mentioning the details.
- The provision for imposing financial penalties for violations of the rules is also there. The rules also mention the liability for damages to the environment or third parties. The damages are the result of improper e-waste management.
- Urban local bodies (municipal committees, councils, or corporations) are responsible for collecting waste products. These ULBs must then direct them to authorized recyclers or dismantlers.
Electronic Waste Registration Certificate
EPR or Extended Producers Responsibility is a government strategy. It makes producers liable for handling and managing the products they produce. Producers, importers, manufacturers, and brand owners (PIBO) must obtain EPR authorization. EPR is a strategy that incorporates environmental, economic, and social considerations. Also, EPR holds producers accountable for the handling and disposal of the waste so produced. In fact, making producers responsible can help generate incentives to minimize waste at the source. It can also encourage eco-friendly product design and support recycling and waste management goals. Thus, the E-waste Management Authorization promotes sustainable development in many ways.
Rules about Extended Producer Responsibility
The Government of India (GOI) chose to pass the E-waste Management (EWM) Rules, 2016. EPR in EWM rules intend to cope with e-waste in India. The EPR concentrates on the following topics:
According to the rules, PIBO is accountable for decreasing e-waste pollution.
Under Rule 13 (1), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) can grant, renew, or reject EPR. The CPCB has directed the implementation of EPR. It includes specific instructions for producers for channelling, recycling, storing, disassembling, and refurbishing EEE.
Who is eligible to register for an EPR authorization?
As per rules, producers, importers, brand owners, and manufacturers in India must apply for an EPR authorization. All e-waste producers and exporters in India require EPR authorization.
EPR Authorization in E-waste Handling and Management
Considering the increasing volume of e-waste in India, the government reconsidered its policy. It was concluded that shifting responsibility for particular products' post-consumer phases to the manufacturers can be a viable option. Under the Extended Producer Responsibility, producers are liable for managing or removing the post-consumer products. Assigning such responsibility may result in incentives to minimize waste at the source. It may also encourage eco-friendly product design. It supports public recycling and waste management objectives. EPR is expanding to include more goods, product categories, and waste streams.
Documents needed for E-waste EPR authorization
What is the process for granting/renewing and refusing EPR authorization for E-waste management?
EPR Authorization Validity
The EPR or E-waste management authorization is valid for five years.