New E-waste management rules in India

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change of India (MoEFCC) has issued new rules for E-waste management. These rules replace the current E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and shall come into effect from 1 April this year. The key difference from the present rules is that it will extend a wider product scope and a stronger surveillance process. In addition to IT and information communication equipment and consumer electrical and electronic equipment, large and small electrical and electronic equipment, electrical and electronic tools, and medical equipment are newly added as target products.

Amongst the type of products now included are:
- Information technology and telecommunication equipment
- Consumer electrical and electronics and Photovoltaic panels
- Large and small electrical and electronic equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools (with exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
-Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Medical devices (with exception of all implanted and infected products)
- Laboratory instruments.

Information shall be registered in the portal developed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The CPCB will conduct random sampling for surveillance.
The official announcement (both in Hindi and English) may be seen at this link.

For more information, please contact Kenny.ho@nemko.com

(Article is based on text provided by Kenny Ho and edited by Trond Sollie)