Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has recently made revisions to the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
- The rules replaced the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.
Key Provisions of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Where the producers (including importers) of batteries are responsible for collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries and use of recovered materials from wastes into new batteries.
- Centralized online portal: for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishes.
- Mandatory recovery: the minimum percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries.
- Polluter Pays Principle: Environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of EPR target.
- Funds collected shall be utilised in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries.
- EPR certificates will be generated by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through the centralised online portal.
- They can sell the assigned EPR certificates to Producer in exchange of waste batteries.
Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024
- The CPCB shall fix the highest and the lowest price for EPR certificates.
- It shall be equal to 100% and 30%, respectively of the environmental compensation leviable on the obligated entities for non fulfilment of EPR obligations.
- The exchange price of EPR certificate between registered entities through the portal shall be between the highest and the lowest prices.
- Environmental Compensation Committee for Implementation constituted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shall prepare and recommend guidelines for imposition and collection of Environmental Compensation from producers and entities involved in recycling of waste battery.
- Now, The CPCB will prepare and recommend these guidelines.
