There is an ever-increasing demand for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) due to high rates of consumerism, urbanization, economic growth, and obsolescence. This has resulted in India finding a place among the highest producers and generators of e-waste in the world.
E-waste refers to waste electrical and electronic devices, wholly or partially or rejected from their manufacturing and repair process, intended to be discarded and largely based on computer monitors, motherboards, mobile phones And chargers, compact discs, headphones, cathode rays. Tube (CRT), printed circuit board (PCB), TV and so on.
It is extremely important that e-waste be recycled in a safe, suitable and efficient manner. However, due to poor infrastructure and ineffective implementation of the law, a very small percentage of the total e-waste generated is recycled. Currently, the majority of e-waste in India is being managed by the informal sector which does not have adequate means or awareness to deal with e-waste properly. This in turn leads to ineffective e-waste management which causes huge damage to the environment. This poses great health risks for e-waste workers because various components of EEE contain toxins such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, etc., which, if not properly disposed, are harmful to human health.
E-Legislation Legislation in India:
Before implementing the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011; E-waste was covered under Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) regulations. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 was enacted and became effective from May 1, 2012. These rules were implemented to enable the recovery and / or reuse of useful materials from e-waste. , Thereby reducing hazardous wastes destined for disposal to ensure environmental sound management of all types of e-waste and safe and environmentally friendly handling, transportation, storage, and recycling of e-waste . For the first time, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was introduced, which made manufacturers responsible for the safe disposal of electronic goods.
Subsequently, the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2014 were enacted under the suzerainty of the Rules of 2011 and came into force from October 1, 2014. A manufacturer, dealer, vendor and manufacturer responsibility organization (PRO) were also brought under its purview. these rules. PRO is a professional organization authorized or financed collectively or individually by producers, who can take responsibility for the collection and channelization of e-waste generated from their products to ensure environmentally sound management. An alternative was given by the producers to establish a PRO as an additional channel for the implementation of EPR. In addition, the collection mechanism based approach for the collection of e-waste was adopted by producers under EPR. In addition, the applicability of the rules was expanded to cover the components, consumables, parts and parts of the EEE, other than the equipment covered under the regulations.
Amendment in 2018 e-waste management rules and its impact:
The electronic waste management Rules, 2016 have recently been revised by the Center; Videography Notification G. S. R. 261 (E), dated March 22, 2018 to facilitate and effectively implement environmental sound management of e-waste in India. These amendments are intended to make the e-waste recycling sector more formal for those who are authorized decomposers and recyclers of e-waste generated in the country.
The revised rules modify collection targets under the provision of EPR with effect from October 1, 2017. Through the revised targets and monitoring under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), effective and better management of e-waste will be ensured. According to the revised targets of e-waste collection, 10% of the amount of waste generated during 2017-2018 will be collected. In addition, by the year 2023 there will be an increase of 10% every year. After 2023, the target of e-waste collection is set at 70% of the volume of waste production.
Separate collection targets have been introduced for new producers who have recently started their sales operations. These will be producers whose sales operations are less than the average life of their product.
To carry out the activities prescribed for the PRO under these rules, the PRC for registration will apply to the CPCB. This is an important and notable modification as the requirement of a PRO to register with the CPCB ensures that the CPCB can continuously monitor and investigate the activities of the PRO.
The CPCB may conduct random sampling of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market to monitor and verify compliance with the lack of provisions for hazardous substances and the cost of sampling and testing will be borne by the government.
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