Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

Why in the News?

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022.

• It will replace Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.

Key Highlights: 

• Objective: To ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.
• Coverage: All types of batteries, viz. 
  • Electric Vehicle batteries
  • Portable batteries
  • Automotive batteries 
  • Industrial batteries.

Salient feature of the rules:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): It is based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) where the producers (including importers) of batteries are responsible for collection and recycling/refurbishment.
• Online Portal: Online registration & reporting, auditing, and committee for monitoring the implementation of rules.
• New Industries: The rules promote setting up of new industries and entrepreneurship in collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries. 
• Compensation: Environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets.
• Utilisation of Funds: The funds collected under environmental compensation shall be utilised in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries.

Significance:

• Bring new technologies and investment in recycling and refurbishment industry.

• Create new business opportunities.
• Reduce the dependency on new raw materials
• Save natural resources.