Battery Waste Management Rules 2022

To ensure responsible management of used batteries, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MOEFCC) published the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on August 24, 2022.

The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001 is being replaced by these regulations.

Scope

These rules shall apply to

• Producer, dealer, consumer, entities involved in collection, segregation, transportation, re-furbishment and recycling of Waste Battery;
• all types of batteries regardless of chemistry, shape, volume, weight, material composition and use.

These rules do not apply to Battery used in

• equipment connected with the protection of the essential security interests including arms, ammunitions, war material and those intended specifically for military purposes;
• equipment designed to be sent into space.

Overview of the Rules

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) serves as the foundation for the guidelines. The collecting, recycling, and refurbishing of used batteries is the responsibility of battery manufacturers, including importers. They are also in charge of recycling waste materials to make new batteries. EPR mandates that all waste batteries to be collected and sent for recycling/refurbishment, and its prohibits disposal in landfills and incineration. To meet the EPR obligations, producers may engage themselves or authorise any other entity for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries.

Environmental compensation: 
In accordance with the Polluter Pays Principle, environmental compensation will be assessed when Extended Producer Responsibility goals, obligations, and responsibilities are not met. The cash raised under the environmental compensation programme must be used to collect and recycle waste batteries that have not yet been collected or recycled.

Recycling: 
EPR forbids landfill and incinerator disposal and requires all used batteries to be collected and delivered for recycling or refurbishing. Producers are free to employ themselves or authorise the use of any other business. The regulations encourage the creation of new businesses and entrepreneurialism in the collection, recycling, and repair of used batteries.

Online portal: 
To fulfil the duties of producers, the rules will allow for the establishment of a mechanism and centralised web platform for the exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers. The most important characteristics of regulations for effective implementation and compliance are online registration and reporting, audits, and committees for monitoring rule implementation and taking necessary actions to remove obstacles.

To access the complete Rules, click here.

Related Initiatve

Draft Battery Swapping Policy

During April 2022, the draft battery swapping policy was published by NITI Aayog. It is an alternative that entails substituting charged batteries with those that have been discharged. By separating the vehicle from fuel, battery changing lowers the initial cost of the cars. This effort will aid in promoting improved battery lifecycle management, which includes making the most of batteries while they are still functional and recycling them at the end of their useful lives. It encourages the widespread use of electric vehicles by enhancing the efficient and effective use of limited resources. It also provides new options for young people looking for work.

To access the complete policy document, click here.

Source: CPCB