Overview of EPR Registration or Certificate for E-Waste
Being a country witnessing rapid development and industrialization, India
has constantly been one of the worst
performers in terms of environmental safety index in the world, generating
more than two million metric tons of waste
every year. Furthermore, rapid advancements in commercial sectors like
information technology and communication
encourage the production and use of electronic goods. Furthermore, as
electronic devices are updated quickly and
frequently, users are forced to replace their outdated equipment with newer
models, which produces more trash. It is
vital to immediately put a stop to the growing waste stream. Without a
doubt, recycling is the first option that comes
to mind.
This compelled the Indian government to establish regulations and enforce
tougher mechanisms for certain individuals and
corporate entities operating, managing, or handling environmental pollution
through the Extended Producers
Responsibility, EPR authorization. Read further to learn about EPR
authorization for e-waste, its benefits, the process
to gain EPR authorization, and post-compliance for EPR authorization.
Meaning of EPR for E-Waste Management
EPR stands for Extended Producers Responsibility and is a government policy
that extends the responsibility for the
treatment of electronic wastes and their disposal in an environmentally
sound manner by producers, importers,
manufacturers, and brand owners. The key objective of EPR guidelines is to
ensure that manufacturers and producers take
responsibility for minimizing the impact of the waste generated by their
products.
Producers must collect waste from their products' life cycle through the
take-back process or eco-friendly recycling,
ensuring registered recyclers handle the process with the Pollution Control
Committee or Board. The Central Pollution
Control Board or CPCB under the Government of India gives authorization for
EPR. Under Plastic Waste Management Rules
2016, guidelines have been issued by the CPCB for collection, storage,
transportation, segregation, recycling, and
disposal in an ecologically safe and secure manner.
E-Waste management rules, 2022
On November 2, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change
released the E-Waste Management Rules
2022. It became operative on April 1, 2023.
This rule requires all producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers to
register on the EPR portal for the
collection of e-waste produced during the production, refurbishing, or disposal of
any electrical or electronic
equipment and make sure that the waste is recycled or disposed of. Under the
relevant category, such as manufacturer,
producer, refurbisher, or recycler, the entities must register on the EPR online
portal. An entity must register under
each category independently if it fits into more than one. Any firm that conducts
business without registering is
breaking the law.
This rule also mandates that all entities are required to file annual and quarterly
returns in the prescribed format on
the site by the end of the month following the quarter or year to which the return
relates.
Who Can Apply EPR E-Waste?
The CPCB requires EPR registration for producers, manufacturers, bulk users, importers, recyclers, dismantlers, and collection centres to comply with E-Waste (Management) Rules in India, which have been explained in detail below:
- 1. Producers: Anyone who produces and supplies electrical and electronic devices, in tandem with their components, materials, parts, and spares, which include hazardous substances, qualifies as a producer for these regulations, irrespective of how they sell their products through an agent, merchant, internet shopping platform, etc.. It also covers any person who undertakes to market any foreign electronic and electrical equipment, in addition to its components, consumables, parts, or spares, under his own brand.
- 2. Importers: These regulations apply to anyone importing potentially dangerous material-containing electronics and electrical devices, along with the elements, supplies, replacement parts, and consumables that go with them.
- 3. Brand Owner: These regulations extend to any brand owners who deal in hazardous substance-containing electronics and electrical devices, including the elements, supplies, replacement components, and consumables accompanying them.
Benefits of EPR E-Waste Management
The advantages of having an EPR certificate go beyond being merely legally compliant. Let's quickly go over the advantages of EPR compliance:
- 1. Promotes sustainable use of resources: An organized EPR strategy helps companies deconstruct obsolete items for reuse or recycling, enhance their lives, and make sustainable use of resources.
- 2. Encourage environmentally responsible growth: EPR, as an extended producer responsibility, seeks to minimize pollution, optimize the conservation of natural resources, and limit the production of hazardous electronic waste.
- 3. Constructive Environmental Impact: Are you familiar with the methods used for trash disposal? Either electronic garbage is disassembled or it is burned. Sadly, nothing can be done through these methods to lessen the effects of trash on the environment. In addition, the informal sector in India treats 97% of the waste. Consequently, the EPR authorization reduces reliance on conventional and unfriendly waste disposal techniques.
- 4. Lowering Expenses and Improving Productivity: Businesses can reduce operating expenses and generate long-term savings by following the EPR registration requirements and other pertinent regulations. Furthermore, companies could reduce their manufacturing costs and boost productivity by implementing responsible product designs and low-cost packaging.
- 5. Promotes business branding: In the present era, when consumers favour ecologically and socially responsible enterprises, having an EPR registration indicates a company's consistent dedication to safeguarding the environment and social corporate practices. As a result of EPR registration, businesses can improve their reputation and customer confidence, increasing client retention and market competitiveness.