E-Waste

Documents Needed to Set up CPCB Producer Responsibility Organisation

The E-Waste (Management) Rules of 2016 define Producer Responsibility Organisations under Rule 3(dd) as professional organisations authorised or financed collectively or individually by producers. They undertake the responsibility for collection and channelisation of e-waste generated from the ‘end-of-life’ of their products to ensure safe management of such e-waste.” Therefore, PRO is the organisation instituted to perform tasks like collecting and channelising WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), also called end-of-life products. This was allowed under the Extended Producer Responsibility brought for Plastic Packaging and Producers importers and Brand Owners(PIBOs) of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) in the Waste Management Rules. PROs are financed by producers either collectively or individually to perform waste management responsibilities of PIBOs that include one or all of the following responsibilities like fulfilling collection targets, establishing collection centres or organising collection drives and Awareness programs. The roles of the PRO are outlined in the contract or agreement they have with the Producers. PROs can practise a variety of arrangements to implement the EPR. The models of CPCB producer responsibility organisation below are meant to execute EPR state- or country-wide.

 1. PRO as a private organisation 

2. PRO as a non-profit corporation 

3. PRO as a government-run institution/agency 

Activities Undertaken by Producer Responsibility Organisation 

The PRO can aid producers and manufacturers in satisfying their legal responsibility under the EPR, including fulfilling collection targets, establishing collection centres or organising collection drives. The activities that are undertaken while attaining CPCB Producer Responsibility organisation authorisation are outlined below.

• They are also responsible for executing buy-back or take-back mechanism  
• Assisting PIBOs in the planning under EPR  
• Ensuring that proper records are maintained for E-Waste that is collected and channelised.
• Making sure that environmentally sustainable process relating to dismantling and recycling E-Waste is adopted  
• Initiate awareness programs among PIBOs relating to the management of E-Waste  
• Assisting producers in filing the annual and quarterly reports in accordance with the rules.  

Condition for Establishing PRO  

E-Waste management rules, 2016, although does not mention any minimum requirement to get from CPCB Producer Responsibility Organisation authorisation, the plastic waste management rules do prescribe some minimum requirements, which include:- 

1. A statutory body should register the producers’ responsibility organisation. 
2. These organisations must have a minimum experience of five years in waste management, including municipal solid waste and plastic waste. 
3. They must be appropriately recognised and have success stories on the proper disposal of municipal solid and plastic waste. 
4. They must have TAN, PAN, and GST Numbers. 

Documents needed to obtain CPCB Producers’ Responsibility Organisation Authorisation.  

The documents that are required while filing for authorisation of CPCB Producer Responsibility Organisation that is mandated by the authorities: – 

• ID and address proof of Authorised signatory (PAN card and Aadhar number).
• GST registration certificate 
• Business address proof 
• Organisation registration certificate (COI, Memorandum Of Association  in case of company) 
• PAN & TAN (Tax deduction and Collection Number) of the PRO 
• Registration certificate from any legislative body as PRO or as a waste dealer 

Authorisation process of CPCB Producer Responsibility Organisation  

The PRO is required to get registration in the form prescribed by The Central Pollution Control Board^[2]. Once the application is submitted along with all the mandated documents, The CPCB inspects the PRO concerning its capacity and capabilities for handling E-Waste management and its ability to organise awareness initiatives among PIBOs relating to the management of E-Waste. After inspection, if the Central Pollution Control Board is satisfied, it will grant authorisation to PRO within 60 days of receiving the completed application with the required documents.  

Further, for renewal of authorisation of registration, the application should be made 60 days before the expiration of authorisation.  

The form of authorisation contains:- 

1. Company details including name and full address with contact details including Phone number, E-Mails etc. 
2. Name and contact details of the Authorised person with the address 
3. Category of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)^[1] PRO have planned to be handled.
4. Information on the agreement of the dismantlers, recyclers or other channel partners 
5. The capability for collection, storage and transportation of the waste, as well as the capacity of other stakeholders 
6. PAN number 
7. GST numbers 
8. Details/Information on the organisational structure of PRO 
9. Detailed information on the collection system, website and toll-free numbers 
10. District/State Covered by the Producers’ Responsibility Organisation 
11. Any other information volunteered by PRO 

Cancellation/Suspension of Authorisation  

The Central Pollution Control Board may suspend or cancel the authorisation of the CPCB Producer Responsibility Organisation at any time if it fails to conform to the conditions and regulations provided under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 or by Central Pollution Control Board.  

In case PRO violates any provisions of the authorisation during the spontaneous inspection by the Central Pollution Control Board/State Pollution Control Board. The authorities issue the notice within 25 days of such inspection or verification.  

The Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board will provide PRO opportunity to present their case. The decision relating to authorisation will be communicated within ten days after the hearing.  

Conclusion  

The Producer Responsibility Organisation is emerging, but it is yet to find its footing in the market despite the rise in awareness among people. The informal sector is performing almost 90% of e-waste recycling. This quantity does not reflect the huge amount of e-waste that reaches landfills. Also, corruption and malpractices have risen due to a lack of awareness among people and consumers and proper supervision in the waste management sector. EfficientPROsare therefore in short supply. If one wants to be a Producer Responsibility Organisation and tap this market, proper guidance in the authorisation process can save them a lot of hassle.