Electronic Waste (E-Waste) means electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part discarded as waste by the consumer or bulk consumer as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair processes
E-waste contains useful material of economic benefit such as plastics, iron, glass, aluminum, copper, precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, palladium and indium etc 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 bi-phenyls, etched chemicals, etc. The most complex mix of substances is usually present in the printed circuit boards (PCBs)/ printed wiring boards (PWBs)
What is ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ [EPR] ?
‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ [EPR] means responsibility of any producer of electrical orelectronic equipment,[EEE] for channelization of e-waste toensure environmentally soundmanagement of such waste. Extended Producer Responsibility may comprise ofimplementing take back system and/or setting up of collection centres and having agreedarrangements with authorised dismantler/recycler either individually or collectively through aProducer Responsibility Organization recognised by producer or producers in their ExtendedProducer Responsibility – Authorisation.
Features of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
- Extended Responsibility to producers to manage a system of E-waste collection and channelisation through EPR Authorisation.
- To promote and encourage establishment of an efficient e-waste collection mechanism
- Promote Environmentally Safe & Sound Recycling by channelizing E-waste to authorized dismantlers and recyclers of e-waste
- To minimize illegal recycling / recovery operations
- Reduce Hazardous substances in Electrical and Electronic components.
E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016 shall apply to whom?
The E-Waste(M) Rules shall apply to every manufacturer, producer, consumer, bulk consumer, collection centres, dealers, e-retailer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler involved in manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, collection, storage and processing of e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule I, including their components, consumables, parts and spares which make the product operational.
E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016 shall not apply to whom?
- Used lead acid batteries as covered under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 made under the Act;
- Micro enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006)
- Radio-active wastes as covered under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962) and rules made there under.
Mandatory Products covered under E-Waste (M) Rules, 2016(SCHEDULE I)
- Centralised data processing: Mainframes, Minicomputers
- Personal Computers/Laptop Computers/Notebook Computers/Notepad Computers
- Printers including cartridges
- Copying equipment
- Electrical and electronic typewriters
- User terminals and systems
- Facsimile
- Telex
- Telephones/ Pay telephones/Cordless telephones/Cellular telephones
- Answering systems
- Television sets (including sets based on (Liquid Crystal Display and Light Emitting Diode technology)
- Refrigerator
- Washing Machine
- Air-conditioners excluding centralised air conditioning plants
- Fluorescent and other Mercury containing lamps
| Sr. No | Categories of electrical and electronic equipment | EEE Code | Average Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information technology and telecommunication equipment | ||
| Centralized data processing: | ITEW1 | ||
| Mainframe | 10 Years | ||
| Minicomputer | 5 Years | ||
| Personal Computing: Personal Computers (Central Processing Unit with input and output devices) | ITEW2 | 6 Years | |
| Personal Computing: Laptop Computers(Central Processing Unit with input and output devices) | ITEW3 | 5 Years | |
| Personal Computing: Notebook Computers | ITEW4 | 5 Years | |
| Personal Computing: Notepad Computers | ITEW5 | 5 Years | |
| Printers including cartridges | ITEW6 | 10 Years | |
| Copying equipment | ITEW7 | 8 Years | |
| Electrical and electronic typewriters | ITEW8 | 5 Years | |
| User terminals and systems | ITEW9 | 6 Years | |
| Facsimile | ITEW10 | 10 Years | |
| Telex | ITEW11 | 5 Years | |
| Telephones | ITEW12 | 9 Years | |
| Pay telephones | ITEW13 | 9 Years | |
| Cordless telephones | ITEW14 | 9 Years | |
| Cellular telephones | ITEW15 | ||
| Feature phones | 7 Years | ||
| Smart phones | 5 Years | ||
| Answering systems | ITEW16 | 5 Years | |
| 2 | Consumer electrical and electronics: | ||
| Television sets (including sets based on (Liquid Crystal Display and Light Emitting Diode technology) | CEEW1 | 9 Years | |
| Refrigerator | CEEW2 | 10 Years | |
| Washing Machine | CCEW3 | 9 Years | |
| Air-conditioners excluding centralized air conditioning plants | CCEW4 | 10 Years | |
| Fluorescent and other Mercury containing Lamps | CEEW5 | 2 Years |