What is E-Waste?

E-waste is electrical and electronic equipment waste, materials which are rejected from the manufacturing and repair process like computer monitors, motherboards, chargers and mobile phones, television, etc.

The disposal of these electronics is a huge problem because it generally contains hazardous substances. Therefore, it is highly imperative to get a proper disposal or recycle of e-waste. However, in India, due to poor implementation of legislation, a small percentage of e-waste gets recycled.

E-Waste generation in India

In 2015 alone, India was the largest consumer of mobile phones with 1.5 million tones of e-waste generated from it. Still, the people don't know how to dispose off their e-waste. Most of them end up selling the e-waste to the informal sector, as a result, this poses as a severe threat to the environment as well as to the human beings.

Therefore, to address this issue, the government came up with E-Waste Management in 2011. These rules put the burden on the producers for the proper management of the products. The government, later on, initiated E-Waste (Management) Rules in 2016 and an amendment to it in 2018.

E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016

Earlier e-waste was dealt under the Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) Rules. The E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 was enforced under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

These rules were implemented for the recovery and reuse of e-waste, thereby reducing the e-waste which is going to be disposed of, and for the proper handling, transportation, storage, and recycling of e-waste. With the advent of the 2011 rules, the manufacturers will made liable for the proper disposal of the electronic goods.

With the coming of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, manufacturer, dealers, refurbishers were brought under the ambit of these rules. Producer Responsibility Organization came into the picture. These organizations are responsible for the collection and channelization of e-waste. Over 21 products were included in the schedule I.

E-waste Management Rules 2018 Amendment

• For Facilitation and implementation of environmentally sound management of e-waste, the Centre amended E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in 2018. These amendments aim at channelizing the e-waste toward authorized dismantlers and recyclers.
• The revised rules change the collection targets under the EPR provision. Efficient and improved management of e-waste will be ensured by way of revised targets and monitoring under the Central Pollution Control Board.
• A separate collection target was introduced for new producers who have begun their sales operations recently. These producers are generally the ones whose sales operations are lesser than the average life of the product they are producing.
• The PROs have to get registration under CPCB.
• CPCB can conduct random sampling of the electrical and electronic equipment placed in the market for monitoring and verification of compliance of reduction of hazardous substance provisions.

Importance of E-waste management in India

Electrical and electronic equipments amount for a large amount of metals. If there is recycling through e-waste management, then it can be translated into significant metal demand.

Many metals are extracted through mining. The environmental impact is huge. For example to produce a ton of gold, 10,000 tons of CO2 is generated. If there is efficient recycling process, the metals can recycled and reused.

E-Waste management helps in proper processing of the electronic devices so as to ensure that the harmful materials are not released into the environment.

Categories covered under E-Waste Rules

Documents Required for E-Waste management authorization

For Proprietary Concern

• Proprietor Adhaar Card
• Proprietor PAN Card
• GST Certificate
• Rent/Lease/proof of ownership of site
• Factory License/Trade License
• Electricity Bill
• Layout Plan/Naksha

For Pvt/Public Ltd Company

• All the above
• Certificate of Incorporation (CIN)
• MOA
• Company PAN Card
• Board Declaration for Authorized Signatory

How will LawyerINC help you get an E-Waste Management Authorization?

• Connect with Team
• Online Registration
• Get a callback
• Assigning an E-waste management Expert
• Submission of Documents
• Drafting and filing of application form
• Track Progress
• Get Deliverables

Frequently Asked Questions