EPR Registration – A Certificate For E-waste Management

Do you know how many electronic devices cram landfills? According to global e-waste statistics, 57.4 million metric tonnes of electronic waste is generated every year. Shocking, right? Well, the numbers in India will take you by a bigger surprise. Here’s why! The country generates over 10 lakh tonnes of electronic junk annually, and the numbers are expected to shoot up by 31% every year. Also, India is the 3rd largest contributor to e-waste globally. Thus, it is safe to conclude that electronic waste is a growing concern creating toxic environmental impacts and awful health hazards.

So, how to put an end to the adversities of electronic waste? Of course, recycling tops the list of electronic waste management practices. But, almost 78% of electronics and junk piling up in landfills are not collected and neither recycled. This clearly exemplifies why recycling fails to stand out as the only promising waste management technique. What was introduced as a strategic alternative, though, is circular economy.

Recycling versus circular economy

Are you wondering how circular economy is different from recycling? Simply put, recycling focuses on reusing spent and wasted electronics into newer products. However, in a circular economy, waste is no less than rich resources that can be reused and refurbished into new products. It is certainly a contrast to the linear model of take, makes and waste. Moreover, products and resources in circular economy retain high value as they circulate longer in the production and consumption loop. In short, circular economy is a result-driven, strategic attempt at reducing and managing e-waste disposal.

‍What is EPR?

We have all read that e-waste generation in India is overwhelmingly high. Any clue who are the major contributors of electronic junk? Industries and manufacturers of electronics. Little do you know that computer devices account for a whopping 70% of scrapped electronics. The telecom sector releases about 12% of e-waste in a year. Moreover, medical equipment accounts for 8% of the waste generated. To sum up, industries are one of the key contributors to electronic waste.

Hence, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in association with the Government of India and the Central Pollution Control Board, has introduced EPR compliance regulations to minimise the increasing volumes of waste. Wondering what EPR is all about? EPR or Extended Producer Responsibility is an environmental policy that vests producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) with the physical and financial responsibility of products. This includes:

Rethinking designs of products to prolong their value and use in the cycles Collect, dismantle, and repurpose electronic waste to reduce the burdens on landfills.

Thus, it is crucial for the manufacturers and importers of e-waste to acquire EPR authorization to continue with business operations. The authorization is granted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CBCB) in association with the MoEFCC (The Ministry of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change). In addition to authorization, producers must also acquire an EPR certification.

‍What is the purpose of EPR certification?

As an attempt to keep e-waste under control, the government makes it obligatory for companies to procure an EPR certification. Do you know what the EPR certificate implies? It signifies that a business has accepted the responsibility of actively dealing with the electronic waste it creates. Besides, the certificate ensures that companies adhere to the pre-set EPR compliance and norms efficiently.

In case a producer or an importer fails to acquire EPR authorization, the manufacturer can be debarred from operating in India.

‍What are the advantages of obtaining an EPR certificate?

The benefits of obtaining an EPR certificate are far more than being legally compliant. Let’s quickly walk you through the benefits of EPR compliance.

1. Promote greater reuse of products

A well-thought EPR plan assists businesses in dismantling end-of-life products for recycling and reuse.

2. Encourage sustainable environmental development

EPR or Extended Producer Responsibility aims to conserve maximum natural resources, minimise toxic electronic waste, and lessen pollution.

3. A positive environmental impact

Are you aware of the waste disposal techniques? Electronic waste is either dismantled or incinerated. Unfortunately, these techniques do very little to reduce the environmental impact of waste. Also, in India, 97% of the waste is treated by the informal sector. Therefore, the EPR certificate minimises the dependence on traditional and not-so-friendly waste disposal methods.

What are the documents you need for EPR certification?

Registering your business for EPR authorization is quite simple. Here’s a quick list of the documents you need to register for EPR certification:

1. KYC documents of the director of the company

• Aadhar card
• PAN card
• Email and contact details
• Designation of the authorized signatory and authorization

2. Business documents

• GST certificate
• Certificate of incorporation
• Importer exporter code (ICE)
• Certificate of MSME (The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) if applicable.

3. Product-specific details

• Sales and purchase data for the last two financial years
• Product details, including photographs of the products.

Karo Sambhav is a reputable PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) helping entrepreneurs, producers, and importers with EPR consulting, EPR audit, and EPR certification. The organisation is dedicated to finding sustainable waste management solutions.

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