Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory concept which places the responsibility for the post-consumer phase of the products on their manufacturers and producers. It ensures proper waste management as well as environmental protection.
EPR of waste tyres is an obligation placed on the tyre producers which ensures that the waste tyres are managed in an environmentally responsible manner to safeguard the public’s health while protecting the environment from negative impacts which may arise from these tyres. The Hazardous and Other Wastes Amendment Rules, 2022 for “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyre” were introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This amendment became effective on 21st July, 2022. It includes a Schedule IX under which the provisions are outlined for the utilization and management of waste by the producers, recyclers and retreaders.
EPR Registration is mandatory for all the producers, importers and brand owners of tyres in India and must be done under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In this article, we will discuss EPR Registration for waste tyres.
What are the requirements of the EPR Registration for Waste Tyres?
The following are the requirements for the EPR Registration under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
- Producers, importers and brand owners of tyres in India are mandated to apply for EPR registration.
- As an undertaking for the fulfillment of EPR obligations, producers, importers and brand owners of tyres have to provide a bank guarantee of Rs. 2 lakh.
- Half-yearly reports are required to be submitted by the producers, importers and brand owner of tyres to the CPCB which states the collection, dismantling and recycling of waste tyres.
- The producers, importers and brand owners need to make sure that their authorized representatives are authorized by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for the collection, storage and transportation of the waste tyres.
- The tyres’ producers, importers and brand owners must make sure that their authorized representatives are authorized by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for the waste tyres’ dismantling as well as recycling.
Centralized Portal of CPCB for EPR Registration
The EPR registration can be done on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s centralized portal with the help of the following steps:
- Access CPCB’s portal and login with the credentials. If you are a new user, then as a first step, you need to create an account on the portal.
- Once you have logged in, you must fill in all the relevant details in the EPR online registration form/application which includes applicant details, activity details and proposed EPR plan.
- Along with these details, you must also provide all the required documents such as proof of ownership.
- The online application form along with the necessary documents must be submitted within 30 days.
- Within 15 days of the submission, the application will be reviewed by the Central Pollution Control Board.
- Once the certificate is issued by CPCB, it has a validity period of 2 years after which it has to be renewed.
- It is necessary to comply with all the EPR regulations, and to submit regular reports on waste tyre management activities to the CPCB.
Eligibility Criteria for EPR Registration
The following is the eligibility criteria for the EPR registration:
- For the producers and importers who are engaged in the manufacture or import of tyres in India, the EPR registration is applicable/mandatory.
- A minimum threshold quantity may be set by the Central Pollution Control Board for the produced/imported tyres for the need for EPR registration.
- All the eligible producers have to comply with the CPCB’s guidelines and regulations regarding the management of waste tyres.
Details of Waste Tyre Management Plan
For the EPR registration, details of the waste tyre management plan are extremely important. This plan outlines the strategies for the responsible management of the waste tyres. Some key elements of this plan are mentioned below:
- Collection and Storage of Waste Tyres: The waste tyre management plans defines the methods for waste tyres’ collection and safe storage from consumers, retailers and others.
- Transportation and Recycling of Waste Tyres: This must be mentioned in the waste management plan. It is the responsibility of the producers to transport the collected waste tyres to the authorized processing centers or recycling facilities. Recycling helps to extract the valuable materials from the tyre and minimizes the environmental impact.
- Disposal of Tyres or Reuse: Within the plan, the proper disposal of waste tyres is mentioned in a way that is environmentally friendly and in accordance with the waste management guidelines. The plan might also include options for reusing certain valuable components of the waste tyres.
- Reporting & Auditing by EPR-Registered Producers: EPR-registered producers are mandatorily required to maintain their waste tyre management activities’ detailed records. They are obligated to submit periodic reports to the regulatory authorities. To ensure compliance with the Waste Tyre Management Plan, regular audits might be conducted.
Documents Required for EPR Tyre Registration
The following documents are required for EPR tyre registration:
- IEC Certificate
- PAN of the Company or Firm
- GST Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation in case of Company or LLP
- Partnership Deed in case of Firm
- Aadhar and PAN details of the Authorized Signatory
- Audit report of Previous 3 Years (form 3CA-CD)
- GST Annual Report of Previous 3 Years
- Covering Letter – As Per Annexure ‘A’
- Undertaking - As Per Annexure ‘B’
- Tyre Composition - As Per Annexure ‘C’
- CA Certificate certifying the sale and import of tyres of Previous 3 years
Benefits of EPR Registration for Waste Tyres
The EPR registration for waste tyres has several benefits, such as:
- It ensures compliance with the waste tyre management regulations of the Central Pollution Control Board of India.
- EPR registration promotes responsible disposal and recycling of waste tyres in an environmentally-friendly manner.
- EPR-registered producers and manufacturers are protected from legal penalties and actions being taken against them since they have been registered by CPCB.
- EPR registration provides access to relevant guidelines, policies and updates on waste tyres.
- The registration helps to create transparency in the processes related to the management of waste tyres.
- It also enables collaboration opportunities with the authorized recyclers and collection centers.
- By getting EPR registration, the brand reputation of a company increases to a good extent as the company is viewed as being responsible and committed to practices that are environmentally sustainable.
- It promotes awareness and knowledge sharing regarding effective management of waste tyres
Conclusion
The EPR registration for waste tyres ensures the management of waste tyres in a way that is sustainable and friendly to the environment. Producers are held accountable for managing the product until its end of life. EPR holds producers accountable for the waste tyres, and holds them responsible for the disposal, recycling, and reuse practice concerning waste tyres. To ensure proper handling of waste tyres, the producers of waste tyres must adhere to the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board. The EPR registration makes it obligatory for the producers to conduct ethical business practices that benefit the environment. The EPR registration helps to ensure that a collective effort is being made by all the eligible companies for building a cleaner and greener India. If you need assistance in obtaining the EPR certificate, allow our team at Registrationwala to serve you in the best way possible! We would love you to add in our long list of satisfied customers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs
Q1. What do you mean by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
A. EPR refers to the responsibility of a producer regarding the environmentally sound management of the product until it reaches the end of its life.
Q2. What is retreading?
A. Retreading is the process in which a worn-out, good structural quality tyre’s tread and sidewall rubber is renewed.
Q3. Who is required to fulfill the EPR obligations: Producer importing new or used tyres ?
A. EPR obligations are to be fulfilled by the producers importing both new and used tyres.
Q4. What entities are required to get EPR registration under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
A. The entities that are required to get EPR registration are: producers, recyclers and retreaders.
