The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced an important update for entities registered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. In response to industry concerns, the deadline for filing annual and quarterly returns for the financial year 2023-24 has been extended to August 31, 2024.
Key points:
- Extension granted: The original deadline of June 30, 2024, has been pushed back by two months.
- Reason for extension: Many recyclers have reported difficulties in entering production data for EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Certificate generation. Issues cited include unfamiliarity with the new system, data entry errors requiring editing or deletion, and portal functionality problems.
- EPR activities continue: During this extended period, EPR Certificate generation and transfer will still be operational on the EPR portal.
- Legal basis: This extension is in accordance with Rule 9A of the E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024.
- Official endorsement: The decision has been approved by the competent Authority within the Ministry.
This extension provides welcome relief for industry players struggling to adapt to the new e-waste management system. It demonstrates the government’s willingness to be flexible and responsive to real-world implementation challenges.
For registered entities, it’s crucial to use this additional time wisely:
- Review and verify all production data
- Familiarize yourself with the EPR portal system
- Address any pending data entry issues
- Ensure timely submission before the new August 31, 2024 deadline
About Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility is a key principle in modern waste management, particularly crucial in addressing the growing challenge of electronic waste.
EPR is an environmental policy approach where producers are given significant responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the post-consumer stage. In e-waste management, this means manufacturers and importers of electronic goods are responsible for collecting and properly disposing of their products at the end of their useful life.
Under the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022, EPR is a mandatory requirement for producers of electronic goods. They must:
- Set up collection centers or take-back systems
- Ensure environmentally sound management of collected e-waste
- Meet annual collection targets set by the government
Important points to be considered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022
- Manufacturers, producers, refurbishers and recyclers are required to file both quarterly and annual returns on e-waste.
- The returns must be filed in the prescribed form on the online portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board.
- The quarterly returns must be filed on or before the end of the month succeeding the quarter to which the return relates.
- The annual returns must be filed on or before the end of the year to which the return relates.
- For solar photovoltaic modules/panels/cells, manufacturers and producers are required to file annual returns up to the year 2034-2035.
- The returns include information on e-waste collected, dismantled, recycled, and sent to registered recyclers.
- Recyclers must maintain records of e-waste handled on the portal and make them available for verification or audit when required.
- The returns help in monitoring compliance with extended producer responsibility targets and overall implementation of the e-waste management rules.
- Failure to file returns or providing false information can result in revocation of registration and imposition of environmental compensation charges.
- The Central Pollution Control Board uses the data from returns for documentation, compilation and uploading on its website.
Conclusion:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has Extended Deadline for Annual and Quarterly Returns for E-waste. This is an opportunity for industries that were due to some reasons unable to file return on time. They still have a chance to submit return and to avoid consequences for failure to submit that return and industries that are already submitted return can verify within extended time if there is any irregularity in submission.
Stay tuned for any further updates from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or the Ministry regarding e-waste management regulations.
