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.