India E-Waste rules will include CFL and other Mercury containing lamps

INDIA March 23 2016 4:48 PM     

MUNBAI (Scrap Register): The  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the E-Waste  Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the e-waste (Management &  Handling) Rules, 2011.

Announcing the notification of the rules,  Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate  Change, Prakash Javadekar, said that norms have been made more stringent and  reflect the government’s commitment to environmental governance.  He pointed out  that the E-waste rules will now include Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other  mercury containing lamps, as well as other such equipment.

The Minister  said that for the first time, the Rules will bring the producers under Extended  Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets.  He added that producers have  been made responsible for collection of E-waste and for its  exchange.

“The bulk consumers must collect the items and hand them over  to authorized recyclers”, Shri Javadekar said.  He emphasized that various  producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and  ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally  sound manner.

The Minister pointed out that the role of State Governments  has been also introduced to ensure safety, health and skill development of the  workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.  He also stated that a  provision of penalty for violation of rules has been  introduced.

Javadekar said that the process of dismantling and recycling  has been simplified through one system of authorization and that the Central  Pollution Control Board will give the single authorization throughout the  country. Emphasizing that toxic constituents present in E-waste and their  disposal mechanism affect human health and lead to various diseases, the  Environment Minister said that the transportation of E-waste has been made more  stringent.

He added that17 lakh tonnes of E-waste is generated every  year, with an annual increase of 5 per cent of generation of E-waste.

The  draft E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2015 had been notified for public consultation  vide GSR No. 472 (E) dated 10th June, 2015 in the Gazette of India, inviting  public objections and suggestions. The Ministry received approximately 584  suggestions/objections from various ministries and departments, State Pollution  Control Boards and individuals.