The government has taken a number of steps to formalize the e-waste recycling sector in the country. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 make mandatory registration of recycling units and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued guidelines/Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for e-waste processing. The CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) monitored the units and necessary steps were taken to mainstream and modernize the recycling industry with the help of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2016 also provide for recognition and registration, skill development, monitoring and ensuring the safety and health of workers involved in the dismantling and recycling of e-waste. As part of the rules for the management of electronic waste, measures have been taken to reduce hazardous substances in the production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It mandates that every manufacturer of EEE and their components ensure that their products do not contain lead, mercury and other hazardous substances above the maximum prescribed concentration. This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
