The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 2nd November 2022, had published the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 which will come into force from the 1st of April 2023. The earlier E-Waste Rules of 2016 were a precursor to these and were not mandatory for compliance by manufacturers. Therefore, industry body ELCINA has organized a workshop jointly with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on "E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022" for awareness for the ESDM Industry about e-waste and seek some clarifications as well as resolution of industry issues.
The inaugural session has been attended by various experts from Govt. and Industries, Dr. Sandeep Chatterjee-Scientist ‘G’, MeitY, Anand Kumar, Scientist 'F' & Director, CPCB, B. Vinod Babu, Scientist 'F'& Director, CPCB ,Sanjay Agarwal, President, ELCINA & MD, Globe Capacitors and Rajoo Goel, Secretary General, ELCINA.
These rules shall apply to every manufacturer, producer refurbisher, dismantler and recycler involved in manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, refurbishing, dismantling, recycling and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational. High importance is being given to the issue of E-Waste as the challenges of climate change and environmental pollution are becoming serious. India, like the rest of the world is addressing this issue so that we may have a safer and sustainable world in the future. Accordingly, several laws and regulations are being formulated.
Dr. Sandeep Chatterjee-Scientist ‘G’, MeitY talked about the various initiative taken by MeitY on E-Waste (Management) and focus more on the global regulatory environment for e-waste. Rules shall apply to every manufacturer, producer refurbisher, dismantler and recycler involved in manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, refurbishing, dismantling, recycling and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational. High importance is being given to the issue of E-Waste as the challenges of climate change and environmental pollution are becoming serious. India, like the rest of the world is addressing this issue so that we may have a safer and sustainable world in the future. Accordingly, several laws and regulations are being formulated.
Anand Kumar, Scientist 'F' & Director, CPCB mentioned that under the E-Waste Management Rules, provision for reduction of hazardous substances in manufacturing of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) has been provided. It mandates that every producer of EEE and their components shall ensure that their products do not contain lead, mercury and other hazardous substances beyond the maximum prescribed concentration. The E-Waste (Management) Rules also provide for recognition and registration, skill development, monitoring and ensuring safety and health, of workers involved in dismantling and recycling of e-waste.
Producers of notified EEE, have been given annual E-Waste Recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be. Target may be made stable for 2 years and starting from 60% for the year 2023-2024 and 2024-25; 70% for the year 2025-26 and 2026-27 and 80% for the year 2027-28 and 2028-29 and onwards.”
The primary object of the rules is to bring down the use of hazardous substances (such as lead, mercury, and cadmium) in manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment that have an adverse impact on human health and the environment. According to research by ELCINA and CPCB, E-waste is a growing challenge, matching the growth of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. There are currently more mobile cellular subscriptions on Earth than there are humans.
B. Vinod Babu, Scientist 'F'& Director, CPCB mention, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced Mission LiFE, to bring individual behaviors at the forefront of the global climate action narrative, at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26). LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent 'use-and-dispose' economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization. The Mission intends to nudge individuals to undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can contribute significantly to climate change when embraced across the world.
Rajoo Goel, Secretary General, ELCINA said, "Authorization has now been replaced by Registration through online portal and only manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler require Registration.
