The Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025 introduce several important changes to enhance the provisions of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, aimed at reducing environmental pollution caused by improper disposal of batteries and ensuring safe handling, collection and recycling of used batteries. The amendment rules addresses these concerns by tightening existing rules, introducing new provisions, and making the process more transparent and accountable. This amendment strengthens the role of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and lays out clear guidelines for growers, manufacturers and other stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
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What are Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025?
The Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), aims to improve the management and recycling of battery waste in India. These amendments update the regulations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with a focus on better collection, storage, recycling and disposal of batteries. One of the main goals is to make the system more transparent and efficient. These amendments include new provisions on marking and registration of batteries, which will help track the activities of battery producers.
Producers are now required to register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and affix their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration numbers on batteries and their packaging. EPR registration for battery waste management is very important. An important change is the exemption for specific markings on packaging under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Another important update is a change in how producers mark hazardous chemicals like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Producers are not required to mark these symbols if the metal concentration is below a certain level. The changes aim to ensure that batteries are properly recycled and that producers take responsibility for the waste they produce. The regulations will help protect the environment and encourage sustainable practices.
Key Amendments of Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025
The amendments or changes in Battery waste management amendment rules, 2025 includes:
1. Exemption for packaging under legal metrology rules
In the amendment, the rule has been updated to exclude packaging covered under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. The packaging for batteries and battery packs, which falls under these specific regulations, no longer needs to adhere to some of the marking and labelling requirements set out in the earlier version of the rules. This change helps streamline the process for producers by reducing regulatory burden where other rules already cover packaging requirements.
2. Registration and barcode/QR code requirements for producers
Under the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, producers must include their EPR registration number on batteries, battery packs, and equipment containing these batteries. Product brochures or manuals provided to consumers must contain the EPR registration number. They must print a barcode or QR code with their EPR registration number on various items, such as batteries, equipment, and packaging. This ensures accountability in the battery waste collection process and reinforces the producer's responsibility under EPR authorization.
3. Changes to marking of hazardous substances (cadmium and lead)
The 2025 amendment changes the rules for marking hazardous substances like Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in batteries. Previously, batteries with these metals had to show their chemical symbols. Now, if the amount of Cadmium is less than 0.002% or Lead is less than 0.004% by weight, this marking is not required. This update helps reduce paperwork for manufacturers while still ensuring that batteries with high levels of these harmful substances are labelled properly. The change also follows global practices, where many countries have similar rules for small amounts of Cadmium and Lead.
Also Read: Tips for EPR Compliance for Battery Recyclers
Benefits of the Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025
The changes brought about by the Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025 offer several benefits from an environmental and regulatory perspective:
- Better environmental protection: By improving collection, recycling and disposal processes, the rules help prevent battery waste from ending up in landfills, where it can release harmful chemicals into soil and water. The modification ensures that batteries are handled properly, minimizing environmental impact.
- Improved transparency and accountability: Introduction of EPR registration number and requirement for producers to provide detailed information to CPCB will improve traceability of batteries throughout their life cycle. This improved transparency will make it easier to track the origin and recycling of batteries, reducing the chances of improper disposal.
- Encourage recycling: The amendments encourage more efficient recycling of used batteries, which can help recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. This supports a circular economy and reduces the need for virgin materials, helping to conserve resources.
- Reduced administrative burden for producers: Changes related to marking requirements for low concentrations of hazardous metals such as cadmium and lead make compliance easier for producers. This reduction in regulatory burden allows producers to focus more on their core activities while ensuring environmental protection.
- Alignment with global standards: The changes made through the amendment bring India's battery waste management laws in line with international standards. The adoption of barcode and QR code systems, along with revised marking requirements, is consistent with best practices in other countries, ensuring better management of battery waste.
Also Read: How to Start a Battery Waste Dealing Business in India
Role of the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board)
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) plays an important role in the successful implementation of the Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025. CPCB is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that producers, importers and brand owners comply with the provisions of the rules. Key roles of CPCB include:
- Compliance monitoring: CPCB is tasked with monitoring the collection of information regarding producers' EPR registration numbers and ensuring that producers fulfill their obligations for collection and recycling.
- Centralized online portal: One of the primary responsibilities of CPCB is to maintain and update a centralized online portal where producers have to submit their details. The portal will hold the EPR registration number and other relevant information, making it easier for stakeholders to access and verify compliance.
- Quarterly updates: CPCB is responsible for updating the list of producers on the central portal every quarter. This ensures that information remains current and producers are held accountable for their actions.
- Imposition of penalties: In case of non-compliance of rules, CPCB is empowered to impose penalties and take enforcement actions. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the waste management system and to ensure that producers are encouraged to follow the rules.
Conclusion
The Battery Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2025 aims to improve battery recycling and waste management in India. These regulations enhance environmental protection by ensuring proper disposal and recycling of batteries, reducing pollution. Changes, such as requiring producers to register and label their products with an EPR number, increase transparency and accountability. The rules also make it easier for growers to comply by reducing unnecessary paperwork. With strong oversight by the CPCB and alignment with global standards, the amendments help promote a cleaner and more sustainable approach to battery waste management in India.
This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of author, not corpseed, and have not been evaluated by corpseed for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.
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