<strong>Everything You Need To Know About EPR E-Waste Authorization</strong>

Overview of EPR E-Waste Authorisation

EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. This authorisation is overseen by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and is based on the principle of “Polluter Pays”. It is required to be obtained by PIBO i.e. Producers, Importers and Brand Owners. Through this authorisation, PIBOs are issued with recycling targets or EPR obligations. If the authorisation concerns PIBOs of Electrical and Electronic Equipments (EEE), it may be obtained through the E-Waste EPR Portal which is an E-Waste Management System. This authorisation ensures the efficient management of e-waste by promoting its reuse, recycling and eco-friendly disposal.

CPCB has issued detailed guidelines for the proper functioning of the EPR system. As per the guidelines, the obligation must be fulfilled through the effective implementation of the EPR plan as outlined in the EPR certificate. It is done through various schemes such as arrangements for buyback, exchange, deposit refund systems or providing other incentives to the end-user to facilitate the collection, disposal or recycling by the authorised collectors, dismantlers, refurbishers or other authorised units.

Let’s understand EPR E-Waste Authorisation in detail.

Importance of EPR Authorisation

For the first time, EPR was introduced in India through E-Waste Management and Handling Rules 2011. The main purpose of the EPR is to shift the burden of waste management onto the producer of plastic or electronic waste generators. Moreover, not only the producers but also the dealers, sellers, refurbishers and other stakeholders are required to manage the waste produced after the introduction of E-Waste Management Rules 2016. The EPR system was first introduced by Sweden in the year 1988. Thereafter countries across the globe are impeding this system in order to safeguard the environment. It is important to ensure the safe collection and disposal of hazardous waste. It also ensures the recycling and reusing of the generated waste. Putting all this together it can be easily understood that EPR is important for safeguarding our mother nature and doing development through sustainable ways.

Documents Required for EPR E-Waste Registration

The following documents are required to be obtained for EPR E-Waste Authorisation:

• EPR Plan
• Certificate of Incorporation
• MOA & AOA
• GST registration details
• PAN of the entity
• KYC of Authorised Signatory
• Copies of agreements with:
  • Collection centres
  • Authorised centres such as dealers, recyclers etc
  • Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)
  • PRO, if applicable
• Self-Declaration on ROHS
• IEC along with the permission of DGFT
• Details about imported products
• Any other details or documents as prescribed

Registration Process 

The EPR E-Waste Authorisation process can be divided into three parts:

• Submission of Documents and Prescribed Fee: The first process involves the submission of the duly filled EPR authorisation form along with all the required information and documents. The process is completed by payment of the prescribed fees.
• Verification of Application by CPCB: In the next step the application is scrutinized by the CPCB, if any anomalies are found it is flagged and the applicant has to resolve it within the prescribed time. 

• Granting of Authorisation: Lastly, after the scrutinization, CPCB issues the EPR authorisation within 120 days from the date of acceptance of application.

Renewal of Registration

EPR authorisation is valid for a period of 5 years. The application for renewal of the authorization needs to be made before the export of the validity period. The application should be made at least 60 days before the expiry. The renewal fees for the EPR authorisation is the same as the fresh EPR application fees.

Refusal and Cancellation of Registration

CPCB can refuse to grant an EPR authorisation if the applicant does not provide the required information or provides improper information. Before refusing, CPCB will raise the issue and the applicant must comply with it within 45 days. CPCB can refuse to grant the authorisation by giving an opportunity to be heard.

Similarly if at a later stage after the grant of the authorisation, the authorised entity is found to be violating the provisions of E-Waste Management Rules 2016 including the guidelines and amendments or doesn’t satisfy the conditions for the issue of the authorisation then in that case the authorisation may be cancelled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the EPR E-Waste Authorisation is a crucial regulatory framework, which ensures that the PIBOs of EEE take responsibility for managing the waste produced by them. This system of EPR is based on the principle of “Pollutor Pays” which simply means the polluter takes the responsibility for managing the pollution he does. It promotes eco-friendly practices like recycling and reusing. Through this system, sustainable development can be achieved.