E-Waste Management Authorization And Requirement

How often do you switch your old Smartphone with an upgraded new one? What do you do with your old and dead electronics?

1. Hand over the spent electronic junk to the local ragpicker
2. Stack the dated gadgets in some drawer or cupboard
3. Trash away the electronics mindlessly.

Regardless of what you choose, each of these dead electronics ends up clogging landfills. It is no surprise that landfills in India are scaling by leaps and bounds. From the Seelampur e-waste dumping site to the four-hectare wide e-waste disposal unit in Bhiwandi, the country is struggling to tackle the surge in electronic waste. Besides, bustling metro cities like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Karnataka are some of the top contributors of e-waste. If reports are to be believed, the country generates over 10 lakh tonnes of electronic junk every year. Do you know how much of this waste is skillfully recycled? A meagre 5%-7%. In short, e-waste recycling in India is yet to hit its peak.

So, what is e-waste?

In simple words, e-waste or electronic waste refers to obsolete and discarded electronic products such as old mobile phones, televisions, dead motherboards, etc. Very few truly understand that these electronics are more than just pieces of metal. Electronics comprise hefty amounts of chemicals and metals like lead, mercury, fluoropolymers, silicones, and more. Disposing of electronics mindlessly causes severe environmental impacts. The harsh chemicals leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating the environment. What’s more, the chemicals can cause serious fire outbreaks, and the toxic fumes can aggravate health conditions like breathing disorders.

What is EPR e-waste?

EPR e-waste or Extended Producer Responsibility refers to the responsibility vested in producers, importers, and brand owners to collect, treat, and recycle end-of-use electronic products. Besides, EPR obligates PIBOs to design products using recyclable and environment-friendly materials. Little do you know that EPR authorization is mandatory for all entrepreneurs and manufacturers. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in association with the Central Pollution Control Board, authorizes EPR compliance and certification for the PIBOs.

Let’s quickly list the government bodies involved in electronic waste management authorization.

1. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

2. Ministry of Electronics And Information Technology (MeitY)

3. State Pollution Control Board.

Who should apply for EPR authorization?

• Electronic producers
• Electronic dismantlers
• E-waste recyclers
• Bulk consumers
• IT and telecommunication companies
• Consumer electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
• Collection centres.

How to get an EPR authorization?

Obtaining an EPR authorization is not very difficult. Wondering how to submit an application for EPR certification? Let’s explain!

It is always a smart idea to refer to the official CPCB website

Fill up Form-1, complying with the E-waste management rules, 2018

For more reference, adhere to the final guidelines on the implementation of e-waste rules 2016.

What are the documents you need to apply for EPR authorization?

Did you know that achieving EPR electronic waste management is half the battle won when you have a clear idea about the documents you need? Here’s a list of the documents you require:

• A well-thought EPR plan
• Copy of licence and permissions by Government bodies such as GST details, PAN details, incorporation certificate, and IEC (in case you are an importer).
• A declaration of necessary technical document
• A self-attested copy of authorization from the dismantler or recycler
• An extensive list of the producers, recyclers, and dismantlers in your collection targets
• A self-declaration stating that your business will legally comply with ‘Reduction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) regulations.

What are the perks of getting e-waste management authorization in time?

It is no secret that e-waste authorization is mandatory for businesses, producers, and importers. A certificate of EPR empowers businesses to be environmentally responsible. There are ample other benefits to getting certified. Are you curious to learn about a few? Let’s read:

Associating with the top e-waste companies in India ensures that toxic and harmful wastes are responsibly treated and disposed of.

It reduces the chance of fire outbreaks and disastrous chemical exposure due to the recycling and safe disposal of spent electronics.

By embracing circular economy, businesses are obliged to focus on ways to reuse dead products and keep the materials longer in a loop.

EPR authorization enables businesses and manufacturers compliant with government-approved safety and environmental regulations.

How is Karo Sambhav helping PIBOs with EPR compliance?

E-waste is certainly one of the biggest threats to the environment and, of course, human health. E-waste recycling in India, as simple as it sounds, is a complex and multi-step process. From collecting and sorting electronic trash to dismantling, processing, and recovering valuable consumables, Karo Sambhav chalks out a strategic EPR plan to stay compliant with the rules of electronic waste management.