EEE EPR

Introduction

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is part of the environmental policy that aims to transfer the operational management of whole product life cycle of electrical and electronic products to the manufacturers, producers and Importers. With EPR, manufacturers are responsible in ensuring that products are collected, recycled and properly disposed of their products, even after discarding by the consumers. The system will encourage sustainability of resources, a minimal impact to the environment, and the safety of getting rid of trash.

EEE encompasses many different products including those related to computers, televisions, refrigerators, Washing machines, mobile, and other consumer electronics which are vital in the current life. These products however, due to the high rates of advancements in technology have short lives leaving great amounts of e-waste.

Importance of EEE EPR

• Reduction of Environmental Impact: Ewaste: Electrical and electronic waste have hazardous components like lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic materials which when not well handled can damage the environment. EPR policies of EEE also assist in minimizing the environmental impact with e-waste collected and responsibly treated. Correct recycling and disposal can eliminate the risks of soil and water pollution and lower the emission of toxic materials into the air.
• Resource Conservation and Recycling: Most electronic products have valuable metals in their makeup, including copper, gold, silver, rare earth metals. By adhering to EPR application, such materials can be recovered again, reused rather than having to mine new ones. EPR systems enable recycling e-waste and help a more circular economy as they make it possible to keep using the materials instead of straining natural resources.
• Encouragement of Sustainable Product Design: EPR has shifted the burden to manufacturers to address the disposition of its products at end of life, and this factor prompts companies to create products, which can last longer and are easier to fix and recycle. This move towards eco-design will minimize the amount of e-waste and will make the products more recyclable and match the sustainability agenda as a whole.
• Compliance with Global and National Regulations: Most nations have enacted tough policies in place that govern how e-waste should be managed, and EPR forms an important part of these policies. In Europe the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directive makes manufacturers pay for collecting and recycling the e-waste. The same rules are implemented in India where the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016, have enacted producers to use EPR plans. Adherence to EPR laws will result in companies getting on the right side of the law and this will prevent penalties.
• Economic Opportunities: The EEE implementation of and opportunities in recycling and waste management create economic opportunities. Recyclers can also become lucrative since they aid the manufacturers in achieving their EPR mandate. As well, recycling employment leads to the development of green economies and green technologies in waste handling processes.
• Reduction of Illegal E-Waste Trade: A lot of the World e-waste finds its way to the informal recycling industries or through unlawful export to the developing world where organizations to handle them are lacking. EPR assists in checking this vice by instituting formalized channels of e-waste pick-ups and treatment. This minimizes any likelihood of illegal waste handling and secure environmentally sound prescription on e-wastes handling.
• Improved Awareness and Consumer Participation: Public awareness programs are also part of most EPR schemes to inform the consumer into the need of sound disposal of the e-waste. This raises the involvement of consumers in e-wastes recycling schemes and makes it simple to comply with producer EPR obligations. Increased awareness among consumers also promotes more responsible buying behaviour in which consumers prefer sustainable and green products.

In order to achieve the registration of the EEE (Electrical and electronics equipment) Extended Producer responsibility, some entities may be allowed in line with their roles on production, distribution, and importation of electronic and electric equipment. They are the entities who have a general responsibility of organizing the end-of-life disposal and recycling of their products according to rules of e-waste management. The requirements to be EEE EPR registered are the entry requirements.:

Producers

• Definition: A producer is any entity that assembles, manufactures or imports electrical and electronic equipment under its own brand name into the country of sale.
• Eligibility:
  • Producers or makers of electronic and electrical products.
  • Electronic products manufacturers or importers being the Brand owners that sell them under their own name.
  • Brands, where product is made by third party companies but sold/marketed upon the brand (OEMs).

Importers

• Definition: Companies which bring electrical and electronic goods into the country for free sale or distribution within the country.
• Eligibility: Any organisation or individual that imports electrical and electronic products into the country to sell to the country must also enrol in EPR and be answerable in ensuring the imported goods/products are collected, recycled, and disposed of as per the environmental rules and regulations.

Distributors

• Definition: Sellers or intermediaries who might sell electrical and electronic goods using their brand names or on other manufacturers behalf.
• Eligibility: Distributors, who bring the products in the market using their brand name, are also considered to be responsible with EPR registration. But when they do nothing but act as intermediaries which connect a registered producer or brand to their customers they may be exempted of a separate registration They must ensure that the initial producer honours the EPR requirements but they should do so.

Retailers (in certain cases)

• Definition: Merchants, which include those that retail or distribute electrical and electronic equipment to the consumer.
• Eligibility: Though generally not required to register as an EPR entity, retailers may have to meet certain requirements, such as providing locations, dates, and times of collection of e-waste or a producer whose products they market is registered at EPR.

Manufacturers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (OEMs)

• Definition: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who make EEE in their own or a brand name.
• Eligibility: Any firm that produces EEE is able to register under the EPR. They have the mandate of making sure that at the end of the lifecycle of their products, they are manageable in an environmental friendly way.

Companies Dealing in Used/Refurbished Electronics

• Definition: Retailers of refurbished/used Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
• Eligibility: In other instances, refurbishment or used EEE sellers would also have to meet EPR requirements that would see to their end-of-life recycling and discarding.

Bulk Consumers (in some countries or regulations)

• Definition: Larger Consumers including Political Sub-division, big Central Govt. and Corporate users that buys and uses Electrical & Electronic Goods in huge quantity.
• Eligibility: Although bulk consumers may not be necessitated to directly register to EPR, they are usually obliged to make sure that the e-waste produced as a result of using electrical and electronic devices is collected and recycled by registered recyclers. They should also be available to meet extended obligations under relevant EPR standards too in some jurisdictions.

Key Requirements for EPR Registration

• Filing an application Consultations with the respective environmental authority, i.e. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India.
• Submitting product information, Such as product categories, estimated volume, and details regarding the collection, recycling and disposal plans.
• Demonstrating a strategy of collection, treatment, recycle and disposal of e-wastes that will be generated globally due to their items.
• Provision of financial instruments ensures about taking the burden of safe e-waste disposal and recycling of e-waster.
• Collaborating with authorized recyclers the increasing number of end of life products it was necessary to dispose of in a more environmentally friendly way.

What Documents should be submitted in EEE EPR Registration

• GST
• CIN
• Pan card
• IEC
• Aadhar card and pan card of authorized person
• Aadhar card and pan card of alternate person
• Contact no and email id
• Product details