The Central Government has notified the E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023. These rules aim to ensure secure, accountable, and sustainable management of e-waste, specifically focusing on refrigerants generated during the manufacture and end-of-life of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. The rules were published in the Official Gazette on 25th July 2023, and they come into force with immediate effect.
Incorporating crucial amendments to the existing E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, the newly introduced provisions highlight the importance of adopting approved destruction technologies for managing refrigerants. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue guidelines to oversee the proper implementation of these technologies.
Key highlights of the E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023:
- The amendment to Rule 5 ensures the adoption of approved destruction technologies for managing refrigerants generated during the manufacture of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. This step will enhance the sustainable management of such waste materials.
- Rule 7 has been updated to mandate the secure, accountable, and sustainable management of refrigerants from end-of-life refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. The adoption of approved destruction technologies, as per CPCB guidelines, will be essential in this regard.
- Rule 9 now emphasizes the secure and sustainable management of refrigerants from end-of-life refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. The approved destruction technologies prescribed by the CPCB will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance.
- The amendment to Rule 14 addresses the generation of extended producer responsibility certificates for multiple end products of recycling. The conversion factor for such certificates will be determined as per the guidelines issued by the CPCB with the approval of the Steering Committee.
- Rule 16 has undergone significant modifications to provide exemptions for specific electrical and electronic equipment. It outlines the timelines during which certain provisions may not apply, based on the date of placing such equipment in the market and the availability of reduction of hazardous substances compliant parts and spares.
- The E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023, introduce three new schedules – Schedule-II A, Schedule II B, and Schedule II C. These schedules provide detailed categories of electrical and electronic equipment, their components, consumables, parts, and spares, and their exemptions under the rules.
