Which License is Required for E-Waste?

In India, manufacturers, importers and brand owners of electronic and related products have a legal obligation to manage e-waste through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The E-Waste (Management) Rules make it mandatory to secure the Extended Producer Responsibility license for e-waste. In this blog post, we shall discuss the license required for e-waste management.

Required License for E-Waste Management

E-waste products refer to discarded electronic devices that are no longer functional or useful. Proper management of e-waste is essential to prevent environmental harm and promote sustainability. 

To guarantee this, the Government of India introduced Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines and E-Waste (Management) Rules to hold producers accountable for the recycling and disposal of e-waste. 

According to these guidelines, obtaining an EPR authorization (commonly referred to as an e-waste license) is mandatory for manufacturers, importers and brand owners of electronic products.

Eligibility for E-Waste License

According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the following entities are eligible to apply for an e-waste recycling license in India: 

• Individuals

• Organizations

• Designated Agencies

• Companies

• Registered Societies

• Associations

As per these regulations, any entity involved in the collection/storage/handling/recycling of e-waste is required to obtain an e-waste license from the Pollution Control Board.

Documents Required for E-Waste Certification

To obtain E-Waste Certification, the applicants must generally provide the following documents:

• Trade or Business Name

• Official Email Address

• Landline Number (if applicable)

• Certificate of Incorporation/CIN (if available)

• GST Registration Certificate

• Registered Legal Name

• Mobile Contact Number

• Import Export Code (IEC), if applicable

• Company PAN (if available)

• PAN Card of the Authorized Representative

• Complete Business Address

• List of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) for which registration is being sought, along with their respective codes from the notified EEE list.

Step-by-Step Process to Obtain an E-Waste License in India

To obtain e-waste recycling license in India, you need to fulfill several steps. These steps are as follows:

Step 1: You must register on the Online Single Window Portal of Central Pollution Control Board. To register, you must provide personal as well as contact details.

Step 2: Once you register, log in to the portal with User ID and Password.

Step 3: Now, fill out the common application form and create a unit within the portal.

Step 4: Choose “Apply for Certificate/NOC/Permission.” Thereafter, choose the unit and select the department. Now, choose “Authorisation and Registration under E-Waste” as the service and then proceed to submit the application form.

Step 5: Hover over the ‘Pay Your Consolidated Fee’ option and make the application fee payment.

Step 6: Upon submission of your application, it’ll be subject to review by the concerned Regional Office.

Step 7: The office may conduct necessary inspections. In case of any queries/objections, the office will raise them in 7 working days of receipt of application.

Step 8: The applicant must respond to the queries/objections via Nivesh Mitra portal in prescribed period.

Step 9: After processing the application, the office will decide whether to approve the application or reject it. 

Step 10: The fee for securing e-waste license may vary. You can pay it online via Online Consent Management & Monitoring System.

Note: The exact procedure and fee for e-waste license may vary from one region to another.

What to Do After Getting the E-Waste License

Once you get your e-waste licence, you need to keep certain things in mind including:

• After you get your license, you must make sure you store the e-waste in a safe place and in an appropriate manner while adhering to all the regulations.

• Abide by the guidelines pertaining to transportation of e-waste to ensure safety as well as prevent environmental damage.

• You will have to submit annual reports to CPCB on e-waste you collected and disposed of.

• You must renew your e-waste license at least 120 days before the expiration of your current authorization.

• Put in place safety precautions for recycling e-waste, such as adequate tools and staff training.

• Keep an eye on your business to make sure that best practices and standards are being followed.

• You may require a Hazardous Waste Management authorization if your facility handles hazardous waste.

• Also, you might need to register with the CPCB and acquire the required authorizations if you intend to rehabilitate e-waste.

• Make sure the operator of the waste management facility has the appropriate license if you are outsourcing treatment, storage and disposal.

Conclusion

All the producers of electronic products in India must register with the Central Pollution Control Board and secure an e-waste license. This is necessary to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Are you a manufacturer, importer or brand owner of e-waste products? If so, connect with Registrationwala’s waste management consultants. We’ll help you secure an EPR certificate and ensure compliance with the E-Waste Management Rules. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Do I need to recycle e-waste if I manufacture electronic products?

A. Yes. If you manufacture electronic products, you need to recycle e-waste for such products. 

Q2. Where can I file an application for e-waste recycling license?

A. You can file an application for e-waste recycling license through Online Single Window Portal of Central Pollution Control Board.

Q3. Does e-waste certification come with lifetime validity?

A. No, it does not come with lifetime validity. 

Q4. How long does e-waste registration certificate remain valid?

A. It typically remains valid for a period of 5 years from the date of announcement.

Q5. When should I apply for e-waste certificate renewal?

A. You should apply for certificate renewal at least 120 days before the expiration date of your current certificate.

Q6. Am I required to submit any reports to CPCB regarding e-waste?

A. Yes, you must submit annual reports to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that reflect the amount of e-waste you have collected and disposed of during the year.

Author: Manish Kumar

I’m Manish Kumar, a content management specialist. I simplify complex financial and regulatory topics into clear, insightful content. As a regular contributor to the Registrationwala portal, I provide updates on finance, Tax, government schemes, compliance, and other incorporation information. My goal is to keep you informed about key industry developments and their impact.