E-Wastе EPR Authorisation

Elеctronic Wastе (E-Wastе) management has bеcomе a prеssing concеrn in today’s tеch-drivеn world. As technology еvolvеs at an unprеcеdеntеd pacе, thе accumulation of еlеctronic products has lеd to an еnvironmеntal crisis. Addrеssing this challеngе rеquirеs a comprеhеnsivе approach, including Extеndеd Producеr Rеsponsibility (EPR) programs. This article dеlvеs into thе significancе, implеmеntation, challеngеs, and bеnеfits of E-Wastе EPR Authorisation.

What Is EPR?

EPR stands for Extended Producer’s Responsibility. EPR certificate is mandatory for Indian manufacturers/importers of e-waste management products. The EPR permit is granted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under MoEFCC, Government of India. With the permission of E-Wastе EPR Authorisation India, the manufacturer/importer of electronic and electrical products has been given the responsibility to control the e-waste of the products after their end of life.

What Is Meant By E-Wastе EPR Authorisation?

EPR authorization is the responsibility provided to manufacturers/importers for the environmentally friendly disposal / recycling of waste after the customer according to the rules for the management of plastic waste 2016. In the term EPR authorization, the word EPR means Extended producer responsibility, it is an ecological and economic approach to product life cycle management. It includes prevention, cleaning, and recycling.

There are three types of permits, namely production permit, import permit and wholesale permit. Of these, obtaining a manufacturing permit is the most difficult, as it requires large investments in infrastructure and training.

It encompasses prevention, proper disposal & systematic recycling. Primarily there are three categories of authorization, viz

  • Import authorization
  • Manufacturing authorization
  • Wholesale authorization

EPR Certification – E-Wastе EPR Authorisation

The EPR certification is for Indian & foreign manufacturers or importers of electric and electronic equipment for E-Waste Management and under the EPR Authorization, you get EPR Certification. EPR certification is compulsory for almost all manufacturers and importers of electronic waste.

It is important to note that the manufacturing authorization is the most cumbersome to secure as it seeks ample infrastructure and training investment. The E.P.R. certification is a legal compulsion for Indian or overseas manufacturers or importers of electronic items for E-waste management.

With the soaring increase in e-waste, G.O.I. has examined the prevailing policy options & concluded that entrusting manufacturers and importers with responsibility could be the best way to combat such a situation.

In general, Extended Producer Responsibility refers to a policy-based approach under which manufacturers are vested with responsibility for seamless treatment or disposal of post-consumer products. Due to this E-Wastе EPR Authorisation is mandatory for all businesses.

EPR Policy Focus Point

EPR Policy India is mainly focusing on these two points:

  • Shifting of responsibility towards the producer from the municipalities.
  • The incentives the producers are taking into consideration while designing the product.

EPR Policy India

EPR Policy in India is an initiative to bring all the producers/brand owners; waste generators; manufacturers; waste management companies or start-ups; Pollution Control Boards; Recyclers; etc., to act on wastes by making sure the collection, processing, and sustainable disposal to bring in the rules and regulations set by the Government for waste management. It is an approach to sustainably handling waste by extending the responsibilities of the producer to the customer stage of their product’s life.

EPR Policy India focuses on Plastic waste and e-waste. The Plastic and E-waste Management Rules of 2016 have given the complete guidelines to be followed for a sustainable approach to waste management through EPR.

Who Is The Governing Body For EPR?

CPCB is the authority governing EPR in India.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Mo.E.F.C.C.). It was established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The CPCB is also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention & Control) Act. It serves as a field formation and provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provisions. It Coordinates the activities of the State Pollution Control Boards by providing technical assistance and guidance and also resolves disputes among them.

Categories Of Electrical And Electronic Equipment Namely:

IT & Telecommunication-based item, Consumer electronics such as Televisions, Refrigerators, A.C., Washing Machines, mercury-containing lamps, etc

MANDATORY PRODUCT LIST

Categories of Electric or Electronic EquipmentElectric or Electronic Equipment Code
Centralizesd Data Processing: Mainframes, Mini Frames 
Centralized Data Processing: Mainframes, Mini FramesITEW1
Personal ComputersITEW2
Laptop ComputersITEW3
Notebook ComputersITEW4
Notepad ComputersITEW5
Printers Comprising CartridgesITEW6
Copying EquipmentsITEW7
Electric and Electronic TypewritersITEW8
User Terminals and SystemsITEW9
FacsimileITEW10
TelexITEW11
TelephonesITEW12
Pay TelephonesITEW13
Cordless TelephonesITEW14

Cellular Telephones

ITEW15
Answering SystemsITEW16
Consumer Electric and Electronics:

Television Sets Including Sets Based On LED and LCD Technology

CEEW1
RefrigeratorCEEW2
Washing MachineCEEW3
Air Conditioners excluding Air Conditioner PlantsCEEW4
Fluorescent and Other Mercury Containing LampsCEEW5

E-Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011, were promulgated by the government in 2011 & had come into play since 1st May 2012. To ensure seamless implementation of E-based waste rules & clearly describe the duties of producers in E.P.R., MoEF & CC, G.O.I. in the purview of E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, has unveiled the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 vide G.S.R. 338(E) dated 23.03.2016 which came into effect on 01-10-2016

These rules encompass every manufacturer, consumer, accumulation facility, dismantler, and recycler engaged with the manufacturing, trading, and processing of electronic goods cited in Schedule – I of these Rules.

The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 mandate the Central Pollution Control Board i.e. CPCB which entails specific norms related to EPR, channelization, accumulation facilities, storage, transportation, eco-friendly recycling, refurbishment, & sampling of EEE for testing of RoHS guidelines.

The EPR Plan Seeks To

  • Pinpoint estimation of E-waste quantity generated from the consumer’s endThe outline scheme for systematic accumulation & channelization of e-waste with the same E.E.E. code to authorised recyclers.
  • Estimated budget for seamless implementation of EPR.
  • Outline schemes for creating awareness for e-waste prevention and management.
  • Compel producer to ensure conformity with RoHS compliance and make a declaration for the same with requested documentation.

The Manufacturers Have The Right To Revise Their EPR Plan On A Timely Basis With The Information To The Concerned Authority, I.E. CPCB. In Such Scenarios, The E.P.R. Authorization Seeks Amendment.

Objectives Of EPR Policy

The objectives of EPR Policy India under the Plastic Waste Management Rules are as follows:

  • To help stakeholders understand the EPR under these Rules, 2016.
  • To help stakeholders to identify the best suitable EPR Model
  • To assist PIBO (Producer Importer Brand Owners) in framing EPR Action Plan.
  • To guide PIBO with Plastic Waste Management Registration and effective EPR implementation process.
  • To help EPR monitors or executors identify various opportunities in the Sector of Plastic Waste Management.
  • To encourage the states to learn and adopt suitable methodologies.
  • To boost the Plastic Waste Management.

EPR Policy For E-Waste Management

Electronic Products contain thousands of metals. Some of them are precious, like gold and silver, while others are highly toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium. The informal sector in India handles over 95% of all e-waste. If you want to understand the policy and apply this EPRA certificate then you can get it through the Medical Device Registration Consultant team.

Is BIS Certification Mandatory To Apply for EPR Authorization?

Indeed, BIS registration is one of the fundamental documents required for filing forms related to E.P.R. authorization.

What Is Validity And Renewal For EPR Authorization?

EPR Authorization is valid for 5 years and it can be renewed subsequently. Few documents and fees will be needed to get a renewal.

Is An EPR Certificate Mandatory In India?

For manufacturers and importers, it is mandatory to procure the EPR certificate to keep E-waste under control. However, if manufacturers or importers fail to acquire the same, they won’t be able to operate in India. Also, manufacturers or importers have to face debarment, fines, or both.

Benefits Of Obtaining an EPR Certificate

  • Good Environmental Impact
  • Promote Reuse of Product
  • Ensure Sustainable Development.

How To Apply For EPR Authorization?

  • Every manufacturer seeking E.P.R. authorization should make an application in the prescribed application, viz Form-1 of the E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016. The said application should be duly filled and accompanied by the requested documentation.
  • As per the E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016, the applicant must furnish the duly filled application to the Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board.
  • Form-1 should entail the legit details related to the accumulation & channelization of e-waste as mentioned in sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.7.

Key Documents Required For The EPR Authorization

  • Legit address of the proof producers/importer
  • Copy of G.S.T. certification reflecting the address of the business place
  • Copy of business certification granted by R.O.C.s or Directorate of Industries or Local Body, or DGFT
  • Copy of Certificate / Document
  • Items details such as the batch number and model number
  • Details of electronic goods offered to market (in chronological orders reflecting quantity, number and weight etc. ) during last ten years
  • Valid BIS registration
  • Copy of I.S.I. mark or BIS registration number, if applicable
  • Details related to the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance
  • Estimated generation of WEEE
  • Extensive EPR plan encompassing detail relating to collection methods, channelization of e-waste, website information, etc.
  • Details of upcoming awareness programs.
  • Budget for accumulation & channelization schemes.
  • Self-declaration related to RoHS compliances.
  • Declaration regarding the management of technical documents on RoHS as per EN50581.
  • Legal consent granted by the concerned department/ministry for selling their product.
  • Copies of agreement with dealers, collection centres, and recyclers.
  • Copy of agreement with TSDF (in case of CEEW5).

In The Purview Of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, CPCB Seeks License Holders To Comply With The Following Requirements

  • The producer must stay in line with the approved EPR plan.
  • The accumulation methodology or mechanism should be set up by the approved EPR plan.
  • The producer should maintain documentation for e-waste channelization. Note: Recyclers are also liable to follow this condition.
  • Producers are obligated to maintain records, in form 2 of these rules, of electronic waste and present such records before CPCB during the inspection.
  • Producers must file yearly return in the prescribed form, viz; form 3 to the CPCB on or before 30th June following the F.Y. to which that returns relates.
  • Registration holders should maintain technical documentation on RoHS for inspection.
  • Launch of new products seek the prior intimation to the concerned authority via Enclosure A.
  • The inclusion of RoHS information on the brochure or booklet of the products is a legal mandate.