EPR Compliance for Battery Waste

We use various types of batteries in our daily life. We have seen a manifold increase in battery-powered electronic household products over time. Not just this but the whole automotive industry is now shifting to battery-power-based electric vehicles considering the environmental benefits it offers and limiting the usage of fossil fuels. With such an increase in portable electronic devices, the usage statistics of the battery have also increased which further escalates the tension of battery waste and its safe and environmentally sound management. At this point, strict fulfilment of EPR Compliance for Battery Waste is necessary for the government, regulating authorities and other involved stakeholders.

These Battery Waste Management Rules prescribe EPR Compliance for Battery Waste for the producers of batteries and equipment containing a battery to ensure the safe and sound disposal of these batteries at the end of their life. This system is not only effective in efficiently managing the battery waste at the end of the product’s life but also saves funds on the end of government by putting the waste management responsibility on the producers.

Highlights of the Service-

• Leveraging Our Recyclers Network to Fulfill Your EPR Liabilities
• Buy Online Battery Waste EPR Credits at Favorable Rates
• We Manage your EPR Portal and File Annual Returns for Battery Waste
• Comprehensive EPR Plan for Battery Waste Management
• Expert Legal Assistance for CPCB Queries or Notices Received for Battery Waste Management

What is Battery Waste?

Battery Waste includes all types of batteries that provide power to electronic equipment by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. This waste includes all the batteries and their components. These components may or may not be dangerous. The expired batteries, batteries discarded by the user, and the expired batteries constitute battery waste. There are also some pieces produced by the manufacturers for testing purposes which are not available in the market and do not meet the minimum standards. These pieces are called pre-consumer off-spec batteries and are also classified as battery waste.

Who are the Producers?

Producers need to follow the provisions as prescribed under the battery waste management rules. They need to get registration and fulfil EPR Compliance for Battery Waste they produce. The term ‘producer’ includes many stakeholders that are responsible for the circulation of battery products in the market. They include-

• Manufacturers of Batteries or Equipment containing a battery
• Brand Owners selling batteries or like products under the name of their brand
• Sellers of refurbished batteries separately or in equipment
• Importers of batteries or battery-based equipment

The EPR Compliance for Battery Waste as described in the battery waste management rules provide the following benefits to the stakeholders, environment and the regulating authorities responsible for waste management in different jurisdictions-

• The processes as prescribed in the rules, if followed correctly, make the environment free from various types of hazardous substances that are used in the manufacturing of batteries.
• The battery waste management rules put the responsibility of waste management on the producers of battery products. This saves costs for the government which would have been utilised for this unattended battery waste management otherwise.
• Easy technology-based Compliance and Recycling Record management through the EPR Portal of the Central Pollution Control Board makes it convenient for the producers to track, manage, and complete their EPR Liabilities.
• Strict implementation of Battery Waste Management Rules will develop awareness in the business fraternity for the welfare of the environment. It will contribute to the control of overall pollution and society will get a cleaner and safe atmosphere to breathe in.
• EPR Portal developed under Battery Waste Management Rules also assists the regulating authorities to track the liabilities of the producers and take appropriate measures to get these liabilities fulfilled. In case of non-fulfilment of such EPR Liabilities, the CPCB takes appropriate action on them.

The Battery Waste Management Rules divided battery waste into four categories for better and more efficient planning and compliance management. These four types of Battery Waste are-

• Portable Batteries
• Automotive Batteries
• Industrial Batteries
• Electric Vehicle Batteries

Portable Battery

Portable Batteries are the most commonly used batteries. These are found in toys, phones, power backups etc.

Automotive Battery

Automotive Batteries are found in vehicles and their object is to only start the vehicle. Once started, the vehicle shifts to the liquid fuel-based engine for further operation. These vehicles include cars, trucks etc.

Industrial Battery

These batteries comparatively deliver high power and are used in various industrial establishments to operate big portable equipment. This equipment includes forklifts. In the space industry, satellites run on battery power. These batteries are also classified as industrial batteries.

Electric Vehicle Battery

Electric Vehicle Batteries are used to power electric motor vehicles. Unlike Automotive Batteries, these electric vehicle batteries not only start the vehicle but the vehicle also run on electric power.

Responsibilities of Producers

The producers of battery waste need to fulfil the following responsibilities as per the latest Battery Waste Management Rules-

• Fulfilment of EPR obligation for the batteries produced in the last financial year
• Fulfilment of recycling and refurbishment target for each year
• To send waste batteries to the recyclers or refurbishers
• To not send batteries to landfills and avoid incineration
• Registration on the CPCB Portal
• Timely renewal of the CPCB Registration
• Furnishing any change in the details of EPR Registration to the CPCB
• Submission of the EPR Plan to the Central Pollution Control Board
• Operating Buy-back or Deposit Refund System to develop a new separate waste stream
• Ensure collection, recycling and refurbishing of battery waste by self or third party
• Filing of annual returns including the sale purchase data, recycled and refurbished battery waste data
• To follow safe handling rules, prohibitions and labelling requirements for the produced batteries
• Not dealing with any business entity including the producer, recycler or refurbisher that does not have a CPCB Registration

The following documents are required for the producers to fulfil their Annual Battery Waste EPR Compliance. The documents must be valid and should be renewed if their expiry date is close.

• ID proof of the Authorised Signatory
• Address proof of the Authorised Signatory
• PAN Card Details of the Authorised Signatory
• Proof of Possession of the Business Premises
• CIN of the Company
• Other Business Registration
• TIN of the Business Entity
• GST of the Business Entity
• PAN of the Company
• Valid CPCB Registration Certificate (Form 1B)
• EPR Plan (Form 1C)
• EPR Certificates
• Annual Return Filing Certificate (Form 3)

The producer, after getting the EPR Authorisation from CPCB under the Battery Waste Management Rules, needs to follow the compliances throughout the year while managing their battery waste. This EPR Compliance for Battery Waste includes the fulfilment of EPR liabilities and filing annual returns. While it sounds simple, it is a complicated process. But you don’t need to worry as Corpseed takes care of the deadline and manages your end-to-end compliances every year.

• Making EPR Compliance Easy with Corpseed

Every year, producers have a responsibility to meet their EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) targets. Corpseed has a wide network of recyclers that can help producers fulfil their recycling goals on time.

• Online EPR Credits Made Affordable

Corpseed offers online EPR credits to producers at the lowest rates possible. These credits are crucial in meeting the annual EPR liability if you haven't been able to recycle waste as required. You can fulfil your EPR liabilities by purchasing EPR Certificate through Corpseed.

• Filing Annual Sales and Purchase Data

We take care of filing the annual returns for the sales and purchases of your products to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), as it is mandatory under waste management rules. This data is essential in determining the EPR targets for the next year which is calculated based on the EPR Certificate submitted to the CPCB Portal.

• Efficient EPR Portal Management

We handle all aspects of our clients' EPR portals and ensure timely filings whenever needed. You don't need to worry about managing these filings or pending approvals on your EPR Portal.

• EPR Plans for All Categories

Corpseed provides tailored EPR plans for all EPR categories of Battery Waste including Portable Batteries, Automotive Batteries, Industrial Batteries, and Electric Vehicle Battery. We also cover other waste types including E-Waste, Plastic Waste, and Tyre Waste.

• Legal Support for CPCB Queries or Notices

We offer extensive support for any CPCB queries or notices and handle them on your behalf. You can rely on us to address any existing hurdles and ensure EPR Compliance and proper EPR Audit for Battery Waste with all requirements.

EPR Registration for Battery Waste Management has to be renewed after five years of its validity. The renewal application must be submitted sixty days in advance from the date of expiry. EPR Liability also gets adjusted and recalculated as per the obligation fulfilled by the producer. If he has fulfilled 100 per cent of his EPR obligation then the EPR Liability for next year shall be calculated based on the production of the previous financial year only. While if the EPR liabilities are not fulfilled then along with the yearly obligation, the pending EPR liability will also be added to the current year’s EPR obligation.

What are the Penalties under the Battery Waste Management Rules?

The Battery Waste Management Rules prescribe that environmental compensation will be levied from the producer if they do not fulfil their EPR Compliance for Battery Waste regularly. Apart from the non-fulfilment of EPR obligation, these are some events when CPCB put a penalty on the producers-

• Entities managing battery waste without getting CPCB Registration
• Providing false information and wilful concealment of material facts
• Submission of forged or manipulated documents
• Ignorance of guidelines regarding the safe and sound handling of battery waste

The environmental compensation obtained from the producers for non-fulfilment of their EPR liabilities under the Battery Waste Management Rules is returned to the producers if they fulfil these pending obligations in the next three years. If they are not able to fulfil their obligations for three consecutive years then the environmental compensation so obtained is confiscated and utilised to manage unattended battery waste or as the regulating authority decides.

Choosing Corpseed is the best option to take care of your Annual EPR Compliance for Battery Waste. We are experts in managing EPR Compliances for all types of waste including E-Waste, Plastic Waste, Battery Waste and Tyre Waste as well. Here are some insights that make our Battery Waste EPR Management services great.

• We have successfully met EPR targets for over 2,00,000 producers across the country.
• We offer good rates for Battery Waste EPR Credits.
• Our recyclers’ network assists you to complete recycling targets at the cheapest rates. You even get the flexibility to choose the recycler of your choice.
• Our expert team follow the best practices from around the world to manage battery waste properly.
• Along with battery waste, we also cover Plastic Waste, E-Waste, Tyre Waste, and Used Oil categories in India.
• Our legal team is always ready to assist you if you have received any legal notice or query from the CPCB.
• You could save up to 10% on your overall waste management expenses with Corpseed.