BATTERY WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES, 2022

Context

The Union Ministry of Environment published the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 recently to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.

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About

• New rules will replace Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.
• The rules cover all types of batteries, viz. 
• Electric Vehicle batteries
• Portable batteries
• Automotive batteries
• Industrial batteries

About Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers (including importers) of batteries are responsible for the collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries and the use of recovered materials from waste into new batteries.
• Mechanism of centralized online portal: For the exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers to fulfil the obligations of producers.
• Industries and entrepreneurship: Setting up of new industries and entrepreneurship in collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.
• Mandatory minimum percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries: It will bring new technologies and investment in the recycling and refurbishment industry and create new business opportunities.
• Use of a certain amount of recycled materials for new batteries: It will reduce the dependency on new raw materials and save natural resources
• Online registration & reporting, auditing, and a committee: To monitor and implement rules and to take measures required for removal of difficulties.
• Polluter Pays Principle: Environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets, responsibilities and obligations set out in the rules.
• Utilization of funds: The funds collected under environmental compensation shall be utilized in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries.