Sunnyvale, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/14/2012 -- The Indian Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has introduced e-waste management rules for the safe disposal and handling of e-waste (Waste electric and electronic equipments) in order to reduce and recycle e-waste in the country.

The E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011 which came into effect on May 1, 2012 are applicable to both manufacturers of electrical goods and consumers of electronic equipment who will now need to maintain records of e-waste in a particular format.

Companies in India (as consumers of electronic equipments) are required to ensure:

- The E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments) generated in house are to be directed to the authorized collection centers, registered dismantlers or recyclers or to be sent back to pick up or take back services to be provided by manufacturers.
- They have to maintain records of E-waste (Waste electric/ electronic equipments) generated, and make such records accessible for investigation to the concerned authorities.

The e-waste management rules are not applicable for lead acid batteries, micro and small enterprises and radio-active wastes. However, Information and Telecommunications equipment and consumer electrical and electronics sectors must ensure that their products are free from hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and certain other substances. But, the use of such substances is permitted if it is within the prescribed limits.

Waste handling and management guidelines for manufacturers:

- Under an “extended producer responsibility”, Personal Computer (PC) producers, cell phone manufacturers and white goods manufacturers have to set up collection centers or introduce ‘take back’ system.

- Manufacturers will have to bring awareness among consumers about the harmful components present in the product by providing them with equipment handling instructions and booklets.

- Manufacturers have to maintain records of e-waste in the prescribed format to make them available with concerned authorities – State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committees (PCC).

- An annual compliance report must be submitted with the concerned authorities within the specified due date.

Please call/email for more details.
Get the latest press releases and updates on international tax, HR, Finance, compliance and other legal news at Nair & Co. Industry Alerts.

About Nair & Co.
Nair & Co. provides you with your one touch outsourced finance, compliance, HR and legal department for your international operations. If you are expanding abroad for the first time, our turnkey solution will help you do so with minimal risk, stress and cost. We currently support more than 4000+ client operations in over 50 countries and have core offices in U.K., India, China, U.S., Japan and Singapore. Nair & Co. was named among the top 100 outsourcing services providers in the world by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP). Learn more at http://www.nair-co.com