Overview of Refurbishers of E-Waste

Metals, polymers, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), printed circuit boards, cables, and other materials commonly make up e-waste. If e-waste is handled scientifically, valuable metals like copper, silver, gold, and platinum can be recovered. If e-waste is deconstructed and processed in an introductory manner with rudimentary processes, dangerous compounds such as liquid crystal, lithium, mercury, nickel, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), selenium, arsenic, barium, brominated flame retardants, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, and lead are present.

It is reported according to latest statistics that India is 3rd largest generator E-Waste with over 3.23 million metric tonnes of E-Waste per year. According to reports, the E-Waste generation in India has increased to 43% between the financial year (FY) 2018 and 2020. Further, as per the 2020 Report of the Central Pollution Control Board, India generated 1,014,961 tonnes of e-waste in FY 2019-2020 – up 32% from FY 2018-2019. Of this, the report found that only 3.6% and 10% were actually collected in the country in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In India, under the E-Waste (management) rules 2016, E-Waste is categorised into two categories: IT and Telecommunication equipment and Consumer Electricals and Electronics, which include TV, Fridge etc. With this much generation of E-Waste, it is essential for the government.

Refurbishment, as defined under E-Waste Management Rules, 2016, is the process that improves the quality of used Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) which are listed under Schedule I for increasing their lifetime, and a refurbisher is a person who is involved in the complete refurbishment business of used electronic products.

Eligibility for Setting up a Refurbishment Business

Refurbishment, as we know, has proven to be more beneficial than the Recycling process of E-Waste as it not only reduces E-Waste but also significantly improves the product and increases the lifespan of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). Before establishing a refurbishment business, an individual has to keep specific criteria in mind: -

• Before anything, the refurbisher needs to have sufficient space and land where all the E-Waste can be accumulated.
• After that refurbisher should have closed area situated in the establishment
• Then, the refurbisher also needs to have operational machines required for the refurbishment process.
• At last, the business also needs an experienced and knowledgeable workforce.

Documents Involved in Refurbisher Authorisation and License

While filing for Refurbishment Authorisation, Refurbisher has to submit a number of attested documents like: -

1. State Pollution Control Board issued Consent to establish as per The Air (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1981. 
2. State Pollution Control Board issued Consent to Operate under The Air (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1981.
3. Registration Certificate granted by the DIC (District Industries Centre) or any other competent agency. 
4. Aadhar Card 
5. PAN Card
6. GST Certificate 
7. Electricity Bill of the established unit 
8. Layout/Plan 
9. Certificate of Incorporation (CIN)
10. MOA (Memorandum of Association) (If required)

Procedure for Refurbisher Authorisation and License

The E-Waste Management Act, 2016 regulates the procedure for obtaining E-Waste Refurbisher Authorisation from State Pollution Control Board. The process involves Filing an application, reviewing the submitted application and granting the license.

Responsibility of a Refurbisher

Refurbisher is defined as an individual who is involved in the refurbishment business. Because refurbishment is a part of the Waste Management process, some responsibilities are delegated to the refurbisher under the principle of Extended Producers’ Responsibility. Some of the responsibilities of Refurbisher are: -

• Throughout the refurbishment process, the refurbisher shall collect E-waste created items and transfer them to an approved dismantler or recycler.
• Refurbishers should assure the state that their refurbishment operation does not harm the environment by storing and transporting E-waste.
• Refurbishers are also responsible for filing an annual return before 30 June to the concerned State Pollution Control Board following the year to which the return relates.
• The refurbisher is accountable for the business running, ensuring that it does not endanger the public's health or the environment.
• Also, the refurbisher must maintain a record of E-Waste handled in Form-2, making it available to appropriate authorities for scrutiny.
• Keep track of how E-waste is managed, and the relevant authority should examine the documents.

Non-functional components must be removed or repaired when refurbishing used electrical and electronic equipment. E-Waste is what these non-functional electronic components are. Furthermore, some equipment may never be reconditioned due to the high cost of doing so. These items are also classified as E-Waste.

As a result, it is the responsibility of the Refurbisher to dispose of the E-Waste in accordance with the E-Waste Management Rules.

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