What is EPR?

India generates millions of tonnes of electronic waste each year, driven by rising consumption, shorter device lifecycles, and rapid technology adoption. Managing this responsibly is no longer optional — it is a legal obligation governed by a robust and evolving regulatory framework.

India's first formal step toward producer accountability. These rules introduced the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility, requiring manufacturers to take ownership of the waste generated by their products at end of life.

Replaced the 2011 rules with a broader scope — covering manufacturers, consumers, bulk consumers, collection centres, dismantlers, and recyclers across 21 categories of electrical and electronic equipment listed under Schedule I. Producers were required to submit EPR plans to CPCB and meet annual collection targets.

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E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

The most significant overhaul to date. Notified in November 2022 and in force from 1 April 2023, these rules introduced a strengthened EPR framework requiring all stakeholders — manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers — to register on the CPCB portal. Key additions include EPR certificate generation and trading, environmental compensation for non-compliance, mandatory reduction of hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, and a Steering Committee to oversee implementation.

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Subsequent amendments refined the framework further — adding exemptions for specific materials in solar panels and medical devices, introducing refrigerant management provisions, and granting the Central Government authority to extend compliance deadlines where required. EPR certificates can now be exchanged or transferred through CPCB-approved platforms.

Producers must recycle 60% of their previous year's sales by FY 2023–24, scaling to 70% by 2025–26 and 80% from 2027–28 — with importers of used equipment required to recycle 100% of non-re-exported stock.