E-waste Management: EPR Certification

Best compliance partner in India for all your E-waste related regulations

E-Waste Mangement in India

India collected only 10% of the total electronic waste generated in 2018-19. According to a survey, 54 million tonnes of E-waste is generated globally every year and out of which only 20% of it is recycled. INDIA itself generates 2 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually and a very nominal percentage of it is recycled through proper channels. In order to deal with the serious effects of e-waste on environment and human health, the INDIAN Government came with E-waste Management Rules in the year 2016 and the major objective of this was to ensure environmentally sound management of e-waste.

EPR for E-Waste management

E-waste management rule was notified  in the year 2016 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change which came  into enforcement in October 2017.  It states that every  producers (manufacturer, importer, dealer, retailer, e-retailer etc.) has to obtain EPRA (Extended Producer Responsibility Authorization) from CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) for the channelization of e-waste notified under the rules for its safe and sound disposal individually or collectively through a channel partner i.e., PRO (Producer Responsibility Organization).

Who can apply for EPR?

Any entity engaged in any of the following activity has to mandatorily register and procure the E-waste EPR authorization from the Central Pollution Control Board.

Any entity who manufactures and offers to sell electrical and electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares under its own brand; or
offers to sell under its own brand, assembled electrical and electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares produced by other manufacturers or suppliers; or
offers to sell imported electrical and electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares; or
who imports used electrical and electronic equipment;

E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

On 2nd November 2022, CPCB has released the official gazette notification stating the implementation of 85 new products to have mandatory E-waste EPR requirements. Below are the newly introduced major categories of products- 

Information technology and telecommunication equipment   
Consumer Electrical and Electronics and Photovoltaic Panels   
Large and Small Electrical and Electronic Equipements
Electrical and Electronic Tools (With the exception of large- Scale Stationary Industrial Tools)
Toys, Leisure and Sports Equipment
Medical Devices (With the Exception of All Implanted and Infected Products)
Laboratory Instruments
The new regulation will be applicable from 1st April 2023.

Validity of EPR

EPR certificate is valid for 5 years, which must be further renewed for another 5 years.

VINCULAR as a PRO

VINCULAR is a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) by CPCB which can take the responsibility on behalf of producer(s) for collection and channelization of e-waste generated from the ‘end-of-life’ products to ensure environmentally sound management of such e-waste and also create awareness among the consumers and bulk-consumers (school, colleges etc.) to spread the word- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle which can benefit formal recycling/dismantling of e-waste. PRO is a legally authorized body by CPCB who can assist a producer(s) for specific of multiple tasks relating to proper management of their EPR.

Services as a PRO-

EPR Authorisation:

To enable the organizations having the products listed in schedule I, to do business in India, Vincular supports with the below activities for the grant of EPR authorization from CPCB Analysing the product categories and sales data and assess the applicable collection targets

Preparation of EPR plan

General scheme of collection   
Channelization of E-waste   
Website information
Estimated budget for various activities/mechanisms
Awareness programs

Preparation and submission of complete application package Handling queries and follow up with CPCB for grant of authorization

Following the grant of EPR authorization by CPCB, the recipients are required to comply with and fulfill responsibilities for continual maintenance of authorization during its validity period. Vincular ensures continued compliance with the regulation, guidance and support for all such obligations in a structured and timely manner.

Ensuring Continued Compliance-

Planning and running awareness campaigns

Vincular had been actively participating/organising awareness campaigns under CSR initiatives, engagement with NGOs/Marketing Agencies/Industry Associations for creating awareness. Join hands with us to create effective awareness in your region.

Seminars 
Exhibitions 
RWA Meetings
Educational Institutions
Industry Associations
Social Media
Digital Media

Executing awareness campaigns on ground

Channelization of E-Waste

Vincular supports and provisions end to end channelization of E-waste, right from capturing the collection request from end user to dismantling / recycling of e-waste while complying with all requirements of the E-waste management rules 2016 on behalf of producers (EPR holders)

Framework for capturing the collection request
Provisioning trained manpower for handling e-waste collection request and queries over toll free number and email ids
Provisioning toll free number
Provisioning email ids where the request are sent and managed
Provisioning collection points / collection centre / Warehouse for physical collection of e-waste to cover all 29 states

Transportation facilities for environmentally safe and sound movement of e-waste to Dismantling / Recycling facilities

Reverse Logistics

Recycling/Dismantling Facilities

Provisioning Dismantling and Recycling facilities as per CPCB requirements

Fulfilling collection targets

Vincular will support the EPR holders fulfill their yearly collection targets through e-waste collection from end user as well as engage with scrap dealers and system integrators/used equipment dealers to fulfill the collection targets given by CPCB.

ROHS compliance verification
Adequacy of E-waste awareness initiatives taken
Availability of statutory records at collection points/centre and at registered office
Availability of trained staff at collection points/centre to handle e-waste collection and management (in case managed by the EPR holder)
Adequate arrangements for recycling/dismantling against assigned collection targets

Compliance audit

Compliance audits helps with comprehensive review of organizations adherence to CPCB regulatory guidelines and risk assessment for continuation of EPR authorization. Vincular can undertake such audit to evaluate compliance and level of preparation for departmental audit by CPCB/SPCB.

FAQs

1. What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

Extended Producer Responsibility means any producer of electrical or electronic equipment, for the channelling of e-waste to enable ecologically responsible waste management.

2. What is the timeline for the release of the certificate?

No such timeline has been given by the CPCB.

3. What will be the validity of the certificate?

5 years.

4. Can there be more than 1 authorised person for the same certificate

Yes, unlike before, now an application can be filed with more than 1 authorised person details.

5. What is end of life battery

‘End of Life battery’ means Battery which have been used, completed its intended use and is not meant for refurbishment.

6. Is there any Govt. fees to be paid?

Yes- For fresh filing without EPR target: INR 10,000 For fresh filing with EPR target: Starts from INR 2,500 depending upon the target.