What is EPR for Battery waste management?
EPR refers to any battery manufacturer's duty to their goods after production to ecologically sound end-of-life management, as well as to the channelization of waste batteries to ensure environmentally sound waste management. Implementing a take-back system, establishing collection centres, or both, and reaching out to registered recyclers individually or collectively through a Producer Responsibility Organization recognized by the producer or producers in their Extended Producer Responsibility Authorization are examples of Extended Producer Responsibility.
Who needs an EPR certificate for battery waste management?
Any individual or corporate organization involved in the bulk manufacture, dealing, importing, or assembling of batteries must get a battery EPR certificate from the relevant Pollution Control Board.
What is EPR-Authorization?
EPR-Authorization is a producer's permission from the Central Pollution Control Board or a State Pollution Control Board to manage Extended Producer Responsibility with state-specific implementation plans and targets outlined in such an authorization, including the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) and other relevant information.
Coverage
The regulations apply to all sorts of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles; portable batteries; automobile batteries; and industrial batteries.
Timeline
EPR Certification for battery waste management is granted within 15 days to 30 days.
Validity
EPR certification for battery waste is valid for 5 years. It can be renewed after summiting the applicable fees.
Required Documents
• Company GST, IEC, PAN, CIN Certificate (if applicable).
• Cooperate Address, if any.
• PAN of the authorized signatory.
• Import sales data for the products imported in last 10 years.
• Website Link of the Company.
• Toll free no. of the Company.
• Associated PRO, Logistic and Recycler Partner details.
Benefits of EPR authorization
Achieve a more efficient waste supply and management chain.
Enhance methods of waste management.
Coordinate better with the other units.
better reputation in the market.
Ensure that waste management costs are minimized.
Enhance trash separation and dumping.
Registration Process
The following is the procedure for obtaining authorization and registration to handle battery waste:
The procedure for registering recyclers and renewing their registration:-
Every recycler of old batteries must submit an application on Form 2(C) together with the accompanying paperwork to the Member Secretary, CPCB, or an agency recognized by it, for registration or renewal.
a. A copy of valid consent acquired under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, as amended, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, as amended.
b. A certified copy of the Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling Rules, 2016 as amended) authorization.
c. A duplicate of a district industry centre registration certificate that is now valid.
d. A record of installed capacity verification by the District Industries Center and State Pollution Control Board.
The Member Secretary, CPCB, or any officer or agency authorized by the CPCB must make sure that recyclers have enough facilities, technical skills, and equipment to recycle old batteries and get rid of hazardous waste.
The Member Secretary, CPCB, or any official nominated by the CPCB or an agency recognized by it, will make a judgment on the application for registration within 90 days after receipt of a complete application form.
The registration issued under this regulation is valid for three years from the date of issuance or renewal unless suspended or canceled sooner.
A renewal application on Form 5 must be filed at least six months before the registration's expiration date. After looking at each case on its own, the Member Secretary of the CPCB or any officer named by the CPCB or an agency recognized by it, must renew the recycler's registration.
After giving the applicant a fair chance to be heard, the Member Secretary, CPCB, or any official authorized by the CPCB or an agency authorized by it, may decide not to grant registration.
After letting the registered recycler explain and write down the reasons, the Member Secretary, CPCB, or any officer designated by the CPCB or an agency designated by it, may cancel or suspend a registration issued under these rules if the registered recycler has not met any of the conditions of registration or any of the rules made under the Act.
The State Boards will be in charge of making sure the conditions of the registration clause are met.
The Member Secretary, CPCB, or any officer or agency authorized by the CPCB may appeal any order suspending, canceling, or rejecting registration. The appeal must be in writing, include a copy of the order under review, and be submitted within 30 days of the order's issue.
Producer Authorization
Within three months of the effective date of these rules, every producer of battery/battery-containing equipment must apply for EPR Authorization on Form 3 to the State Pollution Control Board Pollution Control Committee if they are selling their product in one state or to the Central Pollution Control Board if they are selling their product in more than one state.
On receipt of a complete application in all respects, a committee constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board with representative members of State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees, after evaluating the State-specific EPR Plan, after such an inquiry as it deems necessary, and after being satisfied that the producer has detailed out an effective system to manage Extended Producer Responsibility in the, a committee constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board with representative members of State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees.
Manufacturer & Importer
Requesting approval from the relevant State Pollution Control Board or Union Territory Pollution Control Committee, if applicable. Within three months after the effective date of these rules, they should submit a Form 2(A) application for authorization to the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee.
After conducting any necessary investigations and determining that the applicant has the necessary facilities, technical capabilities, and equipment to handle battery waste safely, the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee of Union territories may, after receiving a complete application for the authorization, authorize the applicant on Form-2(B) to carry out safe operations within ninety days. After providing the applicant with a fair opportunity to be heard, the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee of the Union territory may refuse to grant any license if the applicant's clarifications are not adequate.
Every person authorized under these rules is required to keep a Form 6 record of the battery waste they handle and to prepare and submit an annual return to the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee on or before the 30th day of June following the financial year to which that return relates. The State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee may renew an authorization after reviewing each case on its merits and if no reports of violations of the Act, its rules, or the conditions outlined in the authorization have been received. An application for renewal of authorization must be submitted on Form 5 within sixty days of its expiration date.
When relevant, they shall take all necessary actions to comply with the requirements of the authorization. The State Pollution Control Board, in the case of a respective state, or the Pollution Control Committee, in the case of Union territories, shall keep a register containing details of the conditions imposed under these rules for environmentally sound management of battery waste, and it shall be open for inspection during office hours by any person interested or affected, or a self-authorized person.
Pollution Control Certificate
If the applicant's response is unsatisfactory, the Central Pollution Control Board or State Pollution Control Board, as applicable, may refuse to issue an EPR-Authorization after providing the applicant with an adequate chance to be heard.
The Central Pollution Control Board will send the state-specific Extended Producer Responsibility Plan to the appropriate State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees for implementation when the EPR Authorization has been granted.
The Central Pollution Control Board will send the state-specific Extended Producer Responsibility Plan to the appropriate State Pollution Control Boards or Pollution Control Committees for implementation when the EPR Authorization has been granted.
The EPR conditions and authorizations must be complied with by every manufacturer of batteries and battery-containing equipment.
To manage battery waste in an environmentally sound manner, the State Pollution Control Board, in the case of a specific state, or the Pollution Control Committee, in the case of union territories, must keep a register detailing the requirements imposed by the EPR-Authorization. They must also monitor compliance with the EPR authorization, take appropriate action in the event of non-compliance, and notify the Central Pollution Control Board of their actions.