A Brief on the E-waste Management Rules for Manufacturers

A Brief on the E-waste Management Rules for Manufacturers

The Indian Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has introduced e-waste management rules
for the safe disposal and handling of e-waste (Waste electric and electronic equipments) in
order to reduce and recycle e-waste in the country. The E-Waste Management and Handling
Rules, 2011 which came into effect on May 1, 2012 are applicable to both manufacturers of
electrical goods and consumers of electronic equipment who will now need to maintain records
of e-waste in a particular format.

Similar rules had been introduced in the UK with the adoption of the EU WEEE Directive in
2003. With the new rule, companies now have to pay for the `recycled' disposal of all their
waste IT products.

Companies in India (as consumers of electronic equipments) are required to ensure:


The E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments) generated in house are to be
directed to the authorized collection centers, registered dismantlers or recyclers or to
be sent back to pick up or take back services to be provided by manufacturers.


They have to maintain records of E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments)
generated, and make such records accessible for investigation to the concerned
authorities.


The e-waste management rules are not applicable for lead acid batteries, micro
and small enterprises and radio-active wastes. However, Information and
Telecommunications equipment and consumer electrical and electronics sectors must
ensure that their products are free from hazardous substances like lead, cadmium,
mercury, hexavalent chromium and certain other substances. But, the use of such
substances is permitted if it is within the prescribed limits.

E-waste handling and management guidelines for manufacturers:


Under an "extended producer responsibility", Personal Computer (PC) producers, cell
phone manufacturers and white goods manufacturers have to set up collection centers
or introduce `take back' system.


Manufacturers will have to bring awareness among consumers about the harmful
components present in the product by providing them with equipment handling
instructions and booklets.

Manufacturers have to maintain records of e-waste in the prescribed format to make
them available with concerned authorities - State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or
Pollution Control Committees (PCC).


An annual compliance report must be submitted with the concerned authorities within

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the specified due date.

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