On August 20th, 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) rolled out new regulations regarding the handling and recycling non-ferrous metals. These regulations will be implemented from the fiscal year 2028.
This move by the Centre is a part of strategic moves undertaken in order to strengthen India’s recycling infrastructure and empower EPR initiatives. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, and it is a concept that states that producers should care more about the life of their products after their usable life has been exhausted. According to EPR, producers should make their products recyclable, reusable, and environmentally safe.
EPR policies also encourage producers to source sustainably, leading to the creation of a cycle where the manufactured products are recyclable, and the raw material used to make products is recycled. India has EPR and recycling rules under the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, E-Waste Management Rules 2011, and Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, among other discrete rules about end-of-life vehicles and other industrial products.
What are India’s New EPR Rules for Non-Ferrous Metals?
According to a notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released on August 20, the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, will come into effect on April 1, 2025, adding a new category of rules to the EPR regulations.
The new regulations aim not only to require non-ferrous metal producers to recycle a specified percentage of their products but also to introduce an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework to ensure the environmentally sound management of metals that end up in scrap.
The initial requirement for metal producers is to have at least 5% recycled metal in the non-ferrous metal products they manufacture. This requirement will progressively increase, reaching 10 per cent in FY29. By 2031, the requirement is to be set individually for the major non-ferrous metals, reaching 20% for Copper, 25% for Zinc, and 10% for Aluminium.
This initiative will reduce the amount of metal wasted due to improper recycling measures, thereby reducing the pressure on the environment caused by metal mining.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction. If implemented properly, it will benefit the conservation of natural resources by managing the demand for raw materials needed to produce metals in the long term,” said Debadityo Sinha, lead for climate and ecosystems at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
Objectives of New EPR Rules
The objectives of the new EPR Rules are mentioned below:
Reduce the Environmental Impact of Mining: There are more than 1300 mines operating in the country as of 2023. It puts tremendous pressure on the country’s natural resources, something that can be changed by utilizing the metals and other natural resources that end up in landfills by implementing strong recycling measures. Conduct environmental impact assessment on a timely basis to reduce the impact of mining.
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India’s New EPR Regulation for Non-ferrous Metals
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Reduce Wasted Metal Resources: India produces around 25 million tonnes of scrap metal every year and still has to import around 5 million tonnes to meet its demands, a large part of which is steel manufacturing. Efficient recycling systems can lead to a reduced import requirement and better utilization of the country’s natural resources.
Strengthen Recycling Infrastructure: India’s recycling rate falls behind other countries not only because of the mindset of the producers but also because of a lack of recycling infrastructure that leaves no efficient options to producers for recycling and affects sustainable sourcing options.
Read more Blogs: A Guide on EPR Compliance Issues and Its Possible Solutions
Benefits of Implementing EPR Rules for Producers
Implementing EPR rules is the need of the hour. EPR is a substantial policy that holds producers responsible for their products during the entire lifecycle of the product. Let’s have a look at the benefits of implementing EPR rules-
- Encourage producers to design products that can be used again
- Help improve waste management practices
- EPR can generate funding for recycling
- Increase transparency by making producers responsible for their products
- Gain a competitive edge over the competitors
- Less reliance on municipalities
Implementation of EPR rules for producers and getting environmental clearance are the best ways to contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.
Highlights of the New EPR Regulations for Non-Ferrous Metals
Other than the recycling percentages specified above, the new EPR regulations introduce certain changes to boost the existing EPR infrastructure. Some of these changes are:
- EPR Certificates: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue EPR certificates to manufacturers to signify their following the terms of the EPR policies. The certificate will be valid for two financial year periods from the year in which they were manufactured.
- Mandatory Registration: Manufacturers, producers, collection agents, refurbishers, and recyclers of non-ferrous metals need to be compulsorily registered with the CPCB. This will ensure that EPR compliance is maintained and overseen by the CPCB, specifically for the purposes of the EPR regulations.
- Online Portal: The CPCB will also establish an online system for the registration and filing of quarterly and annual returns, extended producer responsibility certificates, and other required documents. The CPCB will also invest in tracing scrap of non-ferrous metals generated by any entity or person and tying the process of recycling and responsibly disposing of it together.
- Refurbishing: Refurbishers will also have to register with the CPCB, and refurbishing certificates will be provided to them proving they are in compliance with the new EPR norms. Get NOC from Pollution Control Board to stay compliant.
Conclusion
The global metal recycling industry is a whopping $500 billion. Of this, India’s share at present is only about $11 Billion. With the new set of EPR regulations in place, this figure is all set to grow and improve. For any country, metal is a precious resource that must be handled carefully and preserved. In FY 22/23, India used 32 million tonnes of metals in steel production, a figure that is alarming when considering that we only produced around 25 million tonnes and imported the rest.
The Indian government is on a pathway to ensure that India becomes a global competitor by transforming into a developed country by 2047, under its Viksit Bharat initiatives that aim to strengthen and fasten development to make India more robust in terms of economy and environmental regulations. If you are looking for environmental consulting services and other environmental business solutions, talk to our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EPR?
EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. It is a set of policies intended to make producers care more about the disposal of their products and the sourcing of new materials. EPR aims to promote recycling and sustainability of products.
What metals are included under non-ferrous metals?
Non-ferrous metals include Aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium and zinc. Ferrous metals are magnetic metals, including iron, steel, cast iron, etc.
What happens if a company fails to comply with EPR regulations?
Non-compliance with EPR regulations can result in penalties, including fines, legal action, and, in some cases, revocation of licenses. Companies may also face troubles in obtaining future permits and operational green flags if they don’t comply with the EPR guidelines.
How does EPR help in achieving a circular economy?
EPR promotes a circular economy by ensuring that materials from used products are recovered, recycled, and reintegrated into the production process. This minimizes waste, reduces resource consumption, and fosters sustainable industrial practices. The new requirements ensure that at least some per cent of the new products are made up of recycled metals.
What measures are in place to ensure that EPR regulations are effectively enforced?
The government has established monitoring systems, mandatory reporting requirements, and regular audits to ensure compliance. A running committee has also been established to ensure that EPR guidelines are adopted uniformly across manufacturers. Violators face penalties, and the introduction of digital platforms has made tracking and enforcement more efficient.
Read more Blogs: A Guide on EPR Registration for E-waste Producers
