Cheap mobiles and electronic devices have caught the fancy of us all. Coming in various sizes and shapes these offer unbelievable features at most astonishing prices. Though very attractive yet some of them remain unguaranteed not only in their materials being used and also in safety features. Until now Indian markets were dumped with goods which could have played with our lives and environment.
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
As a growing nation we need to guard against electronic and electrical items getting into our lives and becoming hazardous to our very existence. The only way to do it is to be aware of the roles and responsibilities of Electronic and Electrical producers and remove any deleterious products getting entry into the markets.
To safe guard the environment and ensure proper disposal of E-Waste, Government has brought in the concept of “Extended Producers Responsibility” under “E-Wastes Rules 2011”. All producers of Electronic and Electrical Equipment in India who manufacture and sell are made responsible for their products beyond manufacturing to ensure environmentally sound management of their end of life products.
Let us understand who are Electronics and Electronic Equipment Producers and their responsibilities.
The rules define an EEE Producer as any person who, irrespective of the selling technique used, undertakes the following actions
- manufactures and offers to sell electrical and electronic equipment under his own brand; or
- offers to sell under his own brand, assembled electrical and electronic equipment produced by other manufacturers or suppliers; or
- offers to sell imported electrical and electronic equipment;
Responsibilities of Producers
- Collection of e-waste generated from the ‘end of life’ of their products in line with the principle of ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR), or generated during manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment and channelization of such waste to registered dismantler or recyclers.
- Setting up collection centers or take back systems either individually or collectively
- Financing and organizing a system to meet the costs involved in the environmentally sound management of e-waste generated from the ‘end of life’ of its own products and historical waste available on the date from which these rules come in to force. The financing arrangement of such a system shall be transparent.
- The producer may choose to establish such financial system either individually or collectively by joining a collective scheme.
- to facilitate return of used electrical and electronic equipment by providing contact details such as address, telephone numbers/helpline number of authorized collection centers to consumer(s) or bulk consumer(s)
- creating awareness through publications, advertisements, posters, or by any other means of communication and information booklets accompanying the equipment, with regard to:
- information on hazardous constituents as detailed in sub-rule 1 of rule 13 in EEE
- information on hazards of improper handling, accidental breakage, damage and/or improper recycling of e-waste
- instructions for handling the equipment after its use, along with the Do’s and Don’ts
- affixing a visible, legible and indelible symbol on the products or information booklets to prevent e-waste from being dropped in garbage bins
Next time you buy an electronic item be sure you buy from a complying producer who respects the environment, law and your health. Let’s be a little #Responsible ourselves.
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Note: This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.