Overview of Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR can be implemented in various forms that include product take-back requirements, economic and market-based instruments, regulations and performance standards, and information-based instruments. EPR can create various environmental, economic, and social benefits, including improved waste collection and treatment, higher rates of waste reuse and recycling, incentivizing greener products, helping to finance waste collection and processing, ensuring higher quality secondary raw materials, job creation, and reduced health risks from mismanaged waste.
Aim of Extended Producer Responsibility
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) aims to make sure that product manufacturers are made financially responsible for many parts of the life cycle of their products, including take-back, recycling, and final disposal at the end of their useful life. In this way, it aims to apply what is often known as the 'polluter pays principle'. EPR is typically used for specific waste product streams such as small consumer electronics, packaging, and batteries.
Fact Check
Business and Extended Producer Responsibility
By implementing EPR, businesses can make a significant contribution to the transition to a circular economy by reducing the environmental impacts of their products and services and helping to address the problems associated with trade in waste to developing countries with inadequate waste infrastructures. The benefits to businesses of participating in EPR schemes include enabling them to meet mandatory national recycling and collection targets, shifting towards more circular and more competitive business models, potential for cost savings by creating cost-effective solutions for the collection and recycling of end-of-life products, and supporting the development and improvement of waste and recycling industries, which are also associated with high employment potential. To reduce the negative effects that their goods and services have on the environment, some companies are implementing voluntary actions. The introduction and uptake of market-based instruments such as EPR schemes by businesses derive from the political context in which they operate. More precisely, recent trends in transboundary movements of waste have given rise to environmental and economic concerns, which have emphasized the potential role of policy instruments of this kind.
Extended Producer Responsibility and Government
Governments, at both the national and regional/local levels, have an important role in supporting and promoting EPR. Crucially, by developing the necessary policy and legislation, they can create the right conditions for well-functioning EPR schemes. Governments are also well placed to engage and support other stakeholders, including businesses, waste management companies, the informal sector, and the public, in the implementation of EPR to ensure its success.
Introducing EPR can also lead to benefits for governments. This includes the potential to support the transition to a circular economy by increasing waste collection, reuse, and recycling at a low cost to the government since EPR ensures that producers and businesses contribute financially to (or, in some cases, cover the whole cost of) the management of the waste created by their products.
Current Regulations on EPR
|
Sl no. |
Type of Waste |
Rules currently governing waste management |
|
1 |
Lead Acid Batteries |
Batteries Waste Management Rules 2022 (BWM Rules 2022) |
|
2 |
Electronic waste |
E-Waste Management Rules 2022 (EWM Rules 2022). |
|
3 |
Plastic and plastic packaging |
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 |
|
4 |
Solid waste |
Solid Waste Management (Amendment) Rule 2020 |
|
5 |
Hazardous waste, including Waste Tyres and Used Oil |
Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2022, |
|
6 |
Construction and debris waste |
Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016 |
|
7 |
Bio-medical waste |
Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016. |
Challenges of Extended Producer Responsibility
The adverse impacts of Extended Producer Responsibility have created an alarming situation everywhere with a call for countries to make commitments. Some of the challenges under EPR
Lack of Knowledge
Lack of awareness among producers, consumers, and local authorities is one of the main obstacles to EPR registration in India. Many stakeholders are still ignorant of their duties and the importance of Extended Producer Responsibility in effectively managing waste.
Lack of Mechanisms for Collection and Segregation
Waste must be collected and sorted effectively for EPR registration to be effective. These mechanisms, however, are frequently absent or underdeveloped, which results in inefficient waste management.
Financial Restrictions
Investments in public awareness campaigns, recycling facilities, and collection centers are necessary to implement EPR Registration. It might be difficult for small and medium-sized producers or brand owners to cover these expenses.
Regulation and Adherence
It can be difficult to create and enforce EPR Registration regulations and compliance measures, particularly when dealing with a diverse and large market like India. EPR regulations can be intricate, varying from one jurisdiction to another. Navigating this complexity can be challenging for both producers and regulatory bodies, leading to confusion and potential non-compliance.
Extended Producer Responsibility and Batteries
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change notified Battery Waste Management (BWM) Rules on 22nd August 2022, as per which every producer and person or entity involved in manufacturing of battery shall have to register with CPCB. Producers and manufacturers of batteries shall have to register through the online centralized portal made by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Documents required while submitting an application
Processing of Application
CPCB will process the application, which shall entail the following:
Extended Producer Responsibility and E-Waste
E-waste means electrical and electronic equipment that has been rejected during the manufacturing, refurbishment, and repair processes as well as discarded as waste by the consumer or bulk consumer, in whole or in part. E-waste contains useful materials of economic benefits such as plastics, iron, glass, aluminium, copper, precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, palladium, and indium, and rare earth elements such as lanthanum, neodymium, etc., and hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, etc. and other toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls, etched chemicals, etc. The most complex mix of substances is present in the printed circuit boards (PCBs)/ printed wiring boards (PWBs)
Disposal of Application
The concerned SPCB shall dispose of the application for authorization within a period of 120 days from the date of receipt of such application, complete in all respects. The authorization granted under these rules shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of its issue.
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Documents required for Registration
Extended Producer Responsibility and Plastic
It is the duty of Producers, Importers, and Brand-owners to make sure the processing of their plastic packaging waste through recycling, re-use or end-of-life disposal (such as co-processing/Waste-to-energy/Plastic-to-oil/road making/industrial-composting). As per the guidelines outlined, Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) shall have to register through the online centralized portal made by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Category of Plastic Packaging
The following plastic packaging categories are covered under Extended Producer Responsibility-
Grant of Registration
Within ninety days of receiving an application, each State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee must make a decision on the grant of registration. The registration granted under this rule is initially valid for one year, unless revoked, suspended, or cancelled, and is then granted for three years. The State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committees may not revoke, suspend, or cancel registration without first giving the producer or person engaged in recycling or processing plastic wastes an opportunity to be heard. Every application for registration renewal must be made at least 120 days before the registration certificate's validity expires.
Documents required
Extended Producer Responsibility and Solid Waste
Solid Waste is referred as solid or semi-solid domestic waste, commercial waste, sanitary waste, catering and market waste and other non-residential wastes, street sweepings, silt removed or collected from the surface drains, horticulture waste, agriculture and dairy waste, treated bio-medical waste excluding institutional waste, industrial waste, bio-medical waste and, battery waste, e-waste, radioactive waste generated in the area under the Urban Local Body.
Documents for Obtaining Authorization under Solid Waste Management Rules
Timeline
Extended Producer Responsibility and Bio-Medical Waste
Biomedical waste includes any waste produced during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of people or animals, as well as during related research activities, the production of biologicals, or their testing. Anybody who produces, gathers, receives, stores, transports, treats, disposes of, or handles biomedical waste in any way is subject to the Bio-Medical Waste Management regulations.
EPR Registration for Biomedical waste
Application must be submitted to the respective SPCB/PCC for fresh or renewal of authorization in prescribed format as per Form II as prescribed under Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
Grant of Authorization
Upon verification and ensuring the HCF is having requisite facilities, the authorization is Granted by the respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committee (PCC) in a prescribed form, with unique number of authorization and date of issue.
As per the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, the healthcare facility is required to submit the Annual Report to the SPCB/PCC on or before 30th June every year, for the period from January to December of the preceding calendar year.
Annual Report
The annual report should be filled in the prescribed format prescribed under BMW Management Rules, 2016.
The annual report contains details of following:
Extended Producer Responsibility and Construction and Debris Waste
MoEF&CC notified the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 on 29th March 2016, to provide a regulatory framework for the management of construction and demolition waste that is generated in the Country. Rules were notified to improve segregation, collection, recycling, treatment, and disposal of C&D waste in an environmentally sound manner to prevent loss of embedded recyclable value, avoid the use of virgin materials, discourage unscientific disposal of waste, address air pollution from dumping of waste, promote scientific waste management and prevent degradation of water bodies.
The rules mandate the primary responsibility of implementation, maintaining information, and enforcement to the Local authority, State Government, and State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee. To improve recycling and resource utilization, Circular economy and resource efficiency approaches need to be built into the C&D waste management framework, along with the introduction of stringent enforcement measures, extended producer responsibility, and environmental compensation provisions.
Documents required
The Documents required for Construction Waste Recycling Business are as follows:
Extended Producer Responsibility and Tyre
MoEF&CC notified Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyre on 21st July 2022 through an amendment in Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, to ensure environmentally sound management of waste tires. These rules cover all types of waste tire, including tubes and flaps that are no longer mounted on a vehicle and are no longer used for their intended purpose
Producers and recyclers who do not comply with the provisions of this newly added schedule are liable to pay environmental compensation determined in accordance with the guidelines laid down by CPCB.
Registration
Before starting or continuing their business operations, all entities must register on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal in accordance with Rule 3 of the Amendment Rules.
Documents required
Benefits of Extended Producer Responsibility
The benefits of obtaining EPR Authorisation are summarized below.
|
Area of Benefit |
Key Points |
|
Environmental |
Supporting effective end-of-life collection and environmentally sound treatment of collected waste products Helps boost waste reuse and recycling rates Incentivizing producers towards green design or eco-design; creation of more resource-efficient products with lower environmental impacts, e.g., using fewer or materials that are less harmful Contributing to the transition to a circular economy |
|
Social |
Highlights a greater social responsibility on producers by applying the polluter pays principle. Reduction in health risks from mismanaged waste, including hazardous waste such as WEEE and batteries (e.g., pollution of water sources, health risks from pests attracted to dumped waste) |
|
Economic |
Producer fees paid to EPR programs can finance the collection and processing of waste, lowering the cost of waste management for governments (for waste collection) and for citizens (for waste-related fees). Reduction in cost of using recycled material relative to virgin materials to ensure more effective collection of sorted waste materials and providing higher quality secondary raw material |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Extended Producer Responsibility is a waste management policy approach in which manufacturers are held accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, including post-consumer disposal.
EPR is important because it encourages manufacturers to create products that are easy to recycle, thereby lowering the overall environmental impact. It also helps shift the responsibility and cost of waste management from taxpayers to producers.
EPR incentivizes manufacturers to adopt environmentally friendly practices, reduce waste, and take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products. It encourages a more circular economy, where products and materials are reused, remanufactured, or recycled, reducing the strain on natural resources and minimizing environmental pollution.
EPR programs can cover a wide range of products, including electronics, packaging materials, batteries, and vehicles, among others, depending on the policies of individual countries or regions.
Yes, EPR encourages producers to design products with recycling in mind, leading to increased recycling rates and reduced environmental pollution.
EPR implementation varies globally. Some countries have well-established EPR programs, while others are in the process of developing and implementing such policies based on their environmental priorities.
Small and large manufacturers can both be subject to EPR policies, ensuring that all producers share responsibility for minimizing the environmental impact of their output.
Challenges include setting up efficient collection systems, ensuring producer compliance, and educating consumers about proper disposal methods. Coordination among stakeholders is crucial for successful implementation.
Yes, by encouraging eco-friendly product design, recycling, and reducing waste, EPR contributes to a greener and more sustainable economy.
Consumers can participate by properly disposing of products, recycling, and supporting businesses that adhere to EPR principles, thereby encouraging more companies to adopt responsible practices.
EPR was introduced to encourage producers to minimize the environmental impact of their products, promote recycling, reduce landfilling, and shift the cost of waste management from taxpayers to producers.
EPR promotes eco-friendly product design, reduces pollution, conserves resources, and decreases the overall environmental footprint by ensuring proper disposal and recycling of products.
Yes, there are penalties for manufacturers who do not comply with EPR regulations, including fines and other legal consequences, to ensure adherence to responsible waste management practices
Businesses can ensure compliance by staying informed about relevant EPR laws and regulations in their region, participating in EPR programs, and collaborating with recycling organizations and authorities.
