Overview Of Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR) For Battery Waste

EPR for battery waste refers to a producer's extended producer responsibility for managing battery waste in a way that safeguards both the environment and human health from any potential hazards posed by any substances found in used batteries.

The Battery Waste (Management) Rules 2022 impose duties on producers through EPR, requiring that all used batteries be collected and sent for refurbishment or recycling and forbidding their incineration or disposal in open fields. Producers may hire recyclers or refurbishers or authorize any other entity to collect, recycle, or refurbish used batteries to fulfill the EPR obligation.

EPR for battery waste aims to protect the environment as the government wants to encourage green energy while reducing the use of other energy sources. The environment will face significant challenges when batteries end their useful lives and are imported in large quantities. The government has therefore introduced the idea of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which places a duty on battery producers and importers to collect, recycle, and refurbish battery waste in an environmentally responsible manner.

There are four types of batteries defined under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 are-

• Automotive batteries - These refer to any battery used solely to power lighting, ignition, or automotive starters.
• Lithium-ion batteries - Electric vehicles like e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-cars use such batteries.
• Industrial batteries - They control large machines like forklifts, trucks, machinery vehicles, etc.
• Portable batteries – They help to charge tablets, smartphones, and other 3D accessories. They are primarily used in mobile phones.

Application of Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

All battery types must abide by these regulations regardless of chemistry, shape, volume, weight, material composition, or use. To ensure that their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations are met, the producers (manufacturers and importers) must meet the collection and recycling targets for each battery they introduce to the market. The producers of portable, automotive, industrial, and batteries for electric vehicles (including Li-on batteries) are required to register for EPRs and adhere to certain post-compliance requirements. New responsibilities must be noted by all parties involved. While the CPCB will impose this penalty for failure to meet EPR responsibility, targets, and obligations, the SPCB has the authority to impose it on refurbishers or recyclers for failure to meet their obligations.

Certificate for EPR for battery waste

There are various compliance for receiving a certificate for battery waste that need to be fulfilled. All types and quantities of Batteries that are refurbished or recycled will receive certificates for waste and end-of-life batteries from registered entities. It has also been made possible to exchange these certificates to fulfill Extended Producer Responsibility obligations. These certificates will be based on the weight (in kg) of battery waste that has been recycled and restored. They will be produced by the CPCB and given to recyclers or refurbishers, as appropriate.

Documents Required For EPR For Battery Waste

With the help of Coprbiz, avoid last-minute delays in any documentation requirements by the Central Pollution Control Board.  

• Company GST Certificate
• PAN Card of the company
• Corporate Identification Number (CIN) document
• Consent Issued by SPCBs/PCCs of Air/Water/Hazardous Waste (if the unit is involved in a production facility)
• Import Export Certificate (in case of importers)
• District Industries Center (DIC) registration (if the unit is registered with DIC)

Responsibility of Producer/Manufacturer

From a producer’s point of view, it is important to comply with the regulations set by the board. Now that producers are subject to EPR, they must consider the following critical aspects of the regulations.

• As stated, the producers made available on the market will now follow stringent collection, recycling, and refurbishment targets. They must register and periodically renew their registration through the centralized online registration portal.
• They must submit to the CPCB a detailed EPR action plan that includes information on the amount, weight, and dry weight of the battery's components (nickel, cobalt, lead, lithium, as well as other materials like plastics and paper).
• Perhaps more significantly, under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, producers are required to submit an EPR Plan in Form 1(C) to CPCB for batteries produced in FY 2022–2023 within three months of the rule’s publication.
• Batteries manufacturers will be required to use a minimum percentage of recycled materials. In the case of imported batteries, the producer will need to fulfill this requirement by either exporting that amount of recycled materials or finding a way to use that amount of recycled materials in other businesses.

Filing of Application

• In order to receive their EPR Battery waste certification, applicants must provide all necessary information. Our expert team will examine all the information and paperwork for any inconsistencies.
• Once our team of experts has examined all the documents, an application for online EPR Registration for batteries will be submitted to the CPCB authorities.
• The online EPR registration application will be assessed by the CPCB. If any issues or discrepancies are discovered, the necessary changes will be made to address them.
• Within 30 days of the application being submitted, the certificate of authorization will be issued. Following the issuance of the certificate, producers must put an EPR action plan into practice in order to reach their annual EPR target.

Processing of Application

If you want to file an application for EPR for battery waste, that would be processed by CPCB. Corpbiz is there to help you in the application process. Let's take a quick overview of the steps.

• The application for registration shall be processed within 15 working days. The registration shall be granted or rejected as the case may be within this period.
• If, after processing, the application is found to be incomplete concerning any document being not submitted or any missing information, then the applicant shall be informed.
• Applications shall be rejected if false/ irrelevant information /document is found to be submitted. Application fees shall be forfeited in such cases. Fresh applications, along with application fees, will have to be submitted for Registration.
• After being sealed and signed by a Competent Authority, the Portal-generated Registration certificate shall be uploaded to the Portal.
• The portal has a provision for the internal processing of applications within CPCB, wherein the Member Secretary, CPCB, shall be the approving authority for issuing the Certificate.
• Fresh Registration shall be valid for five years from the date of grant of registration.

Renewal of Registration

In case you already have done the registration and want assistance in renewing your registration, Corpbiz provides full assistance in renewing your registration.

• Producers/Manufacturers shall submit the renewal application 60 days before the expiry of the Registration along with the necessary documents.
• Producers/Manufacturers must ensure that Annual Returns are filed by June 30th of the following year (as per Rules) for the intervening Registration period. Application for renewal will not be processed unless all due annual reports are filed.
• Findings of Audit Reports shall be taken into consideration for renewal of Producers/Manufacturers’ Registration.
• Registration granted to Producers/Manufacturers shall be renewed for five years by CPCB within 15 working days of receipt of complete documents from the Producers/Manufacturers.

Cancellation of Registration

In case there is non-compliance of the documents, the CPCB would cancel the registration, and there are other factors as well. In order to save yourself from hassle-free documentation, we ensure that you comply with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) requirements so that you can get right to action.

• Registration granted to Producers/Manufacturers is liable to be cancelled or suspended at any stage if the document submitted by the Producers/Manufacturers is false.
• PCB shall suspend and cancel the registration and imposing of Environmental Compensation in case of non-compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility obligations as per Schedule II.
• Central Pollution Control Board shall suspend and/or cancel the registration of the Producer and/or impose Environmental Compensation in case of violation of Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 by the registered entity.
• An opportunity will be given to hear the Producer/Manufacturers within fifteen days from the date of issuance of notice before considering the case for cancellation or suspension of Registration by CPCB.
• The Joint Secretary or the officer equivalent in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change shall be designated an Appellate Authority.

How can Corpbiz assist you?

Corpbiz promises to maintain transparency while offering you complete assistance managing battery waste. Utilize Corpbiz's Unparalleled Services for EPR for Battery Waste at Your Convenience. By offering specialized services, we help people get EPR authorization. We have a team of experts who deal with these issues, give our clients the right advice without distorting the truth, and deliver the certificate and license within a reasonable time.