The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been given the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under the new e-waste rules—diverting it from the State Pollution Boards—the Environment Ministry has told a Parliamentary panel.
The Ministry said this in its reply to the Committee of Subordinate Legislations 2016–17 whose 23rd report on action taken by the government on recommendations of its 15th report of the committee on e-waste management.
The committee had earlier noted that poor performance in submission of annual returns by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) has been derailing the entire process of collecting information and monitoring implementation of the e-waste rules in an effective manner.
It had also in its recommendation asked the Environment Ministry to “reign in” erring state boards and ensure strict compliance of the rules.
New rules
The EPR is a policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility—financial or physical—for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.
“Poor performance of SPCBs has been under review since long under all the Waste Management Rules only with respect to the submission of annual return but also their role in regulation, monitoring and ensuring necessary compliance,” the Ministry said in its reply.
“Accordingly in the amended new E-Waste Rules 2016, the EPR authorisation has been made Central Pollution Control Board’s responsibility with pan India implementation, diverting from the responsibility of SPCBs, thus reducing the load of SPCBs significantly,” the Ministry added.
It said the role of State Boards under the rules is now limited to issuance of authorisation to dismantlers, giving them ample scope of focusing on monitoring and compliance which include timely submission of annual reports.
“With recent impetus on online waste management system, the maintenance of information and submission of record will be much easier process. The provision in the rules on the need of enclosing inspection report with authorisation by SPCBs and random inspection of recyclers, dismantlers and refurbishers by CPCB will ensure necessary checks,” the Ministry said.
The committee chaired by Dilipkumar Mansukhlal Gandhi had said that it agreed with the suggestion for establishment of separate e-waste management division in State Boards and Pollution Control Committees by making the provision of their incorporation under the rules headed by an officer of adequate seniority and practical experience.