The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 to supersede the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, aiming for better environmental management of electronic waste.

“Guidelines on Implementation of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016,” from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) provides a comprehensive framework for the management of electronic waste in India. These rules, which superseded the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, became effective on October 1, 2016. The guidelines are applicable to everyone involved in the manufacturing, sale, purchase, and processing of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), including producers, consumers, bulk consumers, collection centers, dismantlers, and recyclers.

A central element of these rules is the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR requires every producer of EEE to ensure that e-waste is channeled to authorized dismantlers or recyclers for environmentally sound management.

Key Aspects of the Guidelines:

1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and EPR Plan:

• Mandatory Authorization: All producers, including importers, e-retailers, and online sellers, must obtain EPR authorization.
• EPR Plan: A producer must submit an EPR plan to the Member Secretary of the CPCB using Form-1 of the E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016. This plan details the producer’s strategy to fulfill its EPR obligations and meet collection targets.
• Collection Targets: The rules stipulate a phased approach for collection targets. Producers are required to collect a percentage of the e-waste generated based on their sales, with targets increasing over time:
  • 30% for the first two years of the rules’ implementation.
  • 40% for the third and fourth years.
  • 50% for the fifth and sixth years.
  • 70% from the seventh year onwards.

2. E-Waste Collection and Storage:

• Methods of Collection: Producers can implement their EPR through various methods, such as a take-back system, establishing collection centers, or a combination of both. They can also partner with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) or an E-Waste Exchange system.
• Collection Centers: Collection centers can be established by producers, refurbishers, dismantlers, and recyclers. These centers must have proper weighing equipment and storage facilities that are proportionate to their operational volume. They must ensure that the storage of e-waste, especially items like refrigerators, air conditioners, and mercury-containing lamps, is done in a way that prevents damage and the release of hazardous substances.
• Storage Duration: E-waste can be stored for a maximum of 180 days, which can be extended up to 365 days by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) for specific research and development purposes.

3. Dismantling and Recycling:

• Authorization: Dismantlers and recyclers must obtain authorization from their respective SPCBs/PCCs.
• Dismantlers: Dismantling is primarily a manual operation that involves separating various components and parts. Dismantlers are not permitted to conduct processes like shredding, chemical leaching, heating, or melting. They are also prohibited from dismantling fluorescent and mercury-containing lamps, or CRTs/LCDs/Plasma TVs. They must have a minimum area of 300 square meters for a capacity of 1 tonne per day.
• Recyclers: Recyclers are involved in recycling and reprocessing waste EEE and can perform more complex operations than dismantlers, including shredding, pyrometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical processes. They must have a minimum operational capacity of 5 MT per day with an area of about 2500 square meters. A recycling facility must have adequate wastewater treatment and air pollution control equipment.

4. Role of Consumers and Bulk Consumers:

• Consumers: Consumers should channelize their e-waste to authorized collection centers, dealers, dismantlers, or recyclers, and should not dispose of it in municipal waste bins. Mercury-containing lamps should be properly packed and handed over to the producer’s take-back system or an authorized collection center.
• Bulk Consumers: Bulk consumers must hand over their e-waste to a producer’s take-back system or to an authorized dismantler/recycler who is part of the producer’s channelization system. They should also create special disposal bins for fluorescent and mercury-containing lamps.

5. Other Guidelines:

• Transportation: The transportation of e-waste must be done according to a manifest system as per Rule 19 of the E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016. The sender of the e-waste is responsible for its safe transport.
• Refurbishers: Refurbishers, who repair used EEE, must obtain consent to establish and a one-time authorization from their SPCB/PCC. If they sell refurbished EEE, they must also obtain EPR authorization from the CPCB.
• RoHS Compliance: The rules require producers to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) provisions. Producers must submit a self-declaration and technical documents to CPCB to prove compliance.