Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a concept under which producers of consumer goods are responsible for the life cycle of their products. The EPR encourages manufacturers to incorporate environmental costs into their product prices, and thus to take on responsibility for the management of the end-of-life products. his scheme is the most important step in the waste management sector. It helps to increase resource efficiency, reduce waste and environmental pollution.
To promote this concept, EPR authorisation is implemented in certain waste streams (such as plastic packaging waste, fluorescent lamps waste and mattresses) in order to ensure that there is a known entity responsible for the management of these waste streams. The main aim of EPR authorisation is to bring higher levels of collection and sorting, which will in turn allow increased recycling rates.
EPR Authorization in india
In a landmark judgment passed on March 20, 2018, the Supreme Court of India (SC) has issued directions to make it mandatory for manufacturers to ensure that all their products have an End-of-Life mechanism so that they can easily recycle or dispose of without causing any harm to human beings and the environment. In other words, the manufacturer must not only be responsible for managing the complete lifecycle of the product but also ensure that there is an efficient after-sale service for the product. This service will come into play when a consumer wants to dispose of the product at the end of its lifecycle.
The SC made it clear that if any manufacturer fails to comply with these orders, then they will punish in accordance with law. The Court observed that though there are laws in place to deal with such situations, they are not being implemented effectively. The court has therefore directed the government to set up a special agency within 3 months which will deal with various aspects related to EPR including collection, recycling, disposal or reuse of hazardous waste.
EPR Authorization is require for E-waste, Plastic Waste and Import.
EPR Authorization is an authorization grant by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to the manufacturer or producer or brand owner of products covered under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Schedule, under the rules of E-waste (Management), Rules 2016, Plastic Waste (Management), Rules 2016 and Import of Hazardous Waste and Other Wastes Rules, 2016 as the case may be, to carry on its business of manufacturing or production or importation of such products in India.
The EPR authorization is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue and can renew thereafter. In case the EPR Authorization holder fails to meet the conditions stipulated in the rules it may suspend or cancel.
EPR Authorization For E-waste
The EPR authorization for e-waste is given based on the type and quantity of e-waste that an applicant seeks to handle. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has provided guidelines for the authorization of EPR.
The application should include:
- A brief description of the company, its profile and its activities;
- Details about EPR proposal including business models, collection mechanism and information regarding stakeholders;
- List of infrastructure like warehouses, treatment facilities, manpower etc., available to the applicant;
- Financial viability report including capital investment and income from sales etc.;
- Information about the quality control system adopted by the applicant.
EPR Authorization For Plastic Waste
The Government has notified new rules for Plastic Waste Management Rules.
- The rules define the responsibility of producers of plastic waste to manage end-of-life plastic waste for safe disposal and recycling.
- The rules mandate that the producers of plastic waste will be responsible for collection and management of plastic waste and promote extended producer responsibility (EPR) in a phased manner.
- The producers are expected to establish a system for collection of multi-layered plastic (MLP) packaging, including pouches for milk, synthetic milk and other beverages, oil, ready to eat foods, cosmetics etc. and non-packaging flexible plastic used in shopping bags, rain coats etc.
- The plastics manufacturers will also be responsible for creating awareness among consumers regarding the segregation at source of all types of plastic waste and its proper disposal in authorised facilities.
- The States/UTs shall not grant any authorisation or renewal of authorisation or Consent to establish or operate under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 without verifying that the proposed activity is covered under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Different types of plastic waste
Plastic waste can categorize into different types of plastic waste according to the type of plastic used in manufacturing the product. Plastic products are generally classified as thermoplastics or thermosets (there are also some classes of plastics that don’t fall into either category). Thermoplastics can melt and reform, while thermosets cannot.
The most common type of plastic used in manufacturing is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and this makes up most of the plastic bottles we use. Other types include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), PVC, polypropylene (PP) and many others. These different types have different properties which make them suitable for a variety of uses.
How can I get an EPR authorization?
The first step in getting an EPR authorization is to know exactly what you are dealing with. Read the definition of ‘Producer’, rules and regulations of EOP and ‘Eco-friendly disposal of e-waste’ carefully. If you feel that you are a producer or manufacture, then you must register with your state PCB or PCC. You might need to hire a consultant who will guide you through the registration process.
Once you have obtained your registration certificate from the State PCB or PCC, you can start the EPR authorization application process at CPCB. It takes around two months to complete the process of EPR authorization by CPCB. In case you want to import e-waste, you need to obtain an Import Registration Certificate (IRC) and apply for Authorization for Imports in Form No. 1 and Form No. 2 as per Rule 12 of the Rules, 2016. Once the application and documents submitted with CPCB, it will take around two months to get the EPR authorization certificate from CPCB.
