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
here today, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, Shri 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.
Shri
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.
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