Overview of steps in becoming a CPCB-certified refurbisher

In 2016, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued the E-waste Management Rules, which included manufacturer, recycler, dismantler, and refurbisher under its ambit. The rules also appointed respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committee (PCC) to grant authorisation to them for the sale, transfer, purchase, collection, storage and processing of old Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) listed in Schedule I, including their components and spares which make the product operational. The E-waste(Management) Rules of 2016 apply to every manufacturer, producer, consumer, bulk consumer, collection centre, dealer, e-retailer, dismantler, recycler and refurbisher. Furthermore, there are specific guidelines to adhere to become a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-certified refurbisher.

The concerned State Pollution Control Board gives authorises e-waste refurbishing under e-waste rules. These rules define a refurbisher as any company or undertaking registered under the Factories Act, 1948 or the Companies Act, 1956 that is engaged in the refurbishment of used EEE to extend its working life for its originally intended use and selling the same in the market or returning it to the owner. The Central Pollution Control Board is the main authority in the country that oversees the certification and authorisation process in case of CPCB-certified refurbished. This is done by issuing standard guidelines and updates in the form of standard operating procedures for refurbishment.

Roles of a CPCB-certified refurbisher

Refurbishing involves disassembling electronics for internal testing, troubleshooting and replacing or repairing non-functioning or obsolete parts that either involve handling damaged or non-functional EEE. Thus, a refurbisher must have proper certification from concerned authorities. A CPCB-certified refurbisher has many advantages too. As they perform quality enhancements on the used EEE and sell it on online and offline platforms, a certification helps build confidence in refurbished products.

The refurbisher certified by CPCB can also help bulk consumers like public and private enterprises with their e-waste management through IT asset recovery services. Authorised refurbishers extend these recovery services to big IT companies by upgrading their system, providing refurbished EEE on rent and supporting services. While smartphones and laptops dominate the refurbished EEE market in India, authorised sellers account for only 1% of the market. Surprisingly, consumers increasingly opt to buy refurbished EEE from authorised resellers and refurbishers, dominating both the online and offline market.

Licences and Permits needed to become a CPCB-certified Refurbisher

Fulfilling the below-mentioned legal and procedural formalities helps in becoming a CPCB-certified refurbisher -

Registration Certificate

A registration certificate is a legal recognition given by the Government, giving the business a legal identity. Registration of e-waste refurbishing is done under the Factories Act, 1948 or the Companies Act, depending upon the operations performed.

Authorisation for e-waste refurbishing

The concerned SPCB will issue a one-time authorisation for e-waste refurbishing. To obtain SPCB authorisation, the following documents are required -

• Certificate of registration issued by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) or any other government agency
• Consent to Establish (CTE) granted by the concerned SPCB
• Consent to Operate(CTO) given by the concerned SPCB
• Proof of installed annual capacity of plant and machinery
• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Certificate from CA
• MSME certificate
• TIN/GST certificate
• Layout plan
• Project report
• Electricity bill
• Copy of agreement with registered recycler/dismantler
• Copy of valid authorisation with registered recycler/dismantler

Consent NOC Certificate from concerned SPCB

The refurbishers must take pollution under control NOC from their concerned SPCB/ PCC. These consent certificates are issued under the Air and Water Acts and require the facility to adhere to the pollution control measures mandated by the pollution control boards. The Consent to Establish is the first stage of getting the consent NOC. CTE is issued so that the industry is set up, keeping in view parameters like location, proximity to significant places, resources etc. The next is Consent to Operate (CTO), issued after a site inspection of the facility to check the production capacity, pollution control measures and so on.

Registration process to become a CPCB-certified refurbisher

Market Overview of Refurbishing Businesses

The country's refurbishing business has shown gradual growth in the past decade. Refurbishing slightly old or new but damaged computers and high-end laptops provides a decent profit margin due to the high demand for such products in India.Profits from selling refurbished items online or offline are also high as the procurement of repairable EEE items is cheap. Smartphones make for the bulk of the most in-demand refurbished items. As per some reports, the used smartphone market is expected to grow and reach $10 billion by FY 2026.

How will Enterclimate Assist You?