The Government on Thursday notified the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 according to which it will be mandatory for manufacturers and dealers to collect used batteries against the new ones they sell.
A notification in this regard has been issued by the Union Environment Ministry which would supervise its implementation to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.
“Notification of these rules is a transformative step towards implementation of the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the Nation on Independence Day on 15th August, 2021 to promote circular economy in full earnest,” an official from the Ministry said adding that the new rules will replace Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.
The rules cover all types of batteries, viz. electric vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries.
The rules function based on the concept of 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.
EPR mandates that all waste batteries be collected and sent for recycling/refurbishment, and it prohibits disposal in landfills and incineration. To meet the EPR obligations, producers may engage themselves or authorise any other entity for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries.
The rules will enable setting up a mechanism and centralized online portal for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers to fulfil the obligations of producers.
“Mandating the minimum percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries under the rules will bring new technologies and investment in recycling and refurbishment industry and create new business opportunities,” as per the legislation.
Online registration & reporting, auditing, and a committee for monitoring the implementation of rules and to take measures required for removal of difficulties are salient features of rules for ensuring effective implementation and compliance.
On the principle of Polluter Pays Principle, environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of EPR targets, responsibilities and obligations set out in the rules.
The funds collected under environmental compensation shall be utilised in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries, said the official.