A Brief on the E-waste Management Rules for Manufacturers
The Indian Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has introduced e-waste management rules for the safe disposal and handling of e-waste (Waste electric and electronic equipments) in order to reduce and recycle e-waste in the country. The E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011 which came into effect on May 1, 2012 are applicable to both manufacturers of electrical goods and consumers of electronic equipment who will now need to maintain records of e-waste in a particular format.
Similar rules had been introduced in the UK with the adoption of the EU WEEE Directive in 2003. With the new rule, companies now have to pay for the ‘recycled’ disposal of all their waste IT products.
Companies in India (as consumers of electronic equipments) are required to ensure:
- The E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments) generated in house are to be directed to the authorized collection centers, registered dismantlers or recyclers or to be sent back to pick up or take back services to be provided by manufacturers.
- They have to maintain records of E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments) generated, and make such records accessible for investigation to the concerned authorities.
- The e-waste management rules are not applicable for lead acid batteries, micro and small enterprises and radio-active wastes. However, Information and Telecommunications equipment and consumer electrical and electronics sectors must ensure that their products are free from hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and certain other substances. But, the use of such substances is permitted if it is within the prescribed limits.
E-waste handling and management guidelines for manufacturers:
- Under an “extended producer responsibility”, Personal Computer (PC) producers, cell phone manufacturers and white goods manufacturers have to set up collection centers or introduce ‘take back’ system.
- Manufacturers will have to bring awareness among consumers about the harmful components present in the product by providing them with equipment handling instructions and booklets.
- Manufacturers have to maintain records of e-waste in the prescribed format to make them available with concerned authorities – State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committees (PCC).
- An annual compliance report must be submitted with the concerned authorities within the specified due date.
Entrepreneurs who are looking at an international business expansion must have realized the importance of an expert consultant who can assist them in different aspects of their business expansion plan that could possibly have been overlooked. A consultant points out the requirements and ensures compliance with the same. Additionally, they look into the other essential aspects of your business like eu vat rules,sas compliance, and regulatory filings.
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