(a) whether as per an estimate, the dumping of e-waste in India is likely to go up by 50%
in the next 10 years;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;
(c) whether large consignments of e-waste are coming to India from developed countries;
(d) if so, the present regulations regulating the import of e-waste in the country;
(e) whether the Government proposes to amend the relevant laws and also ban import of
e-waste; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (f): The Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Hazardous Wastes
(Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, for proper management and
handling of hazardous wastes, including e-waste. As per these Rules, import of such wastes,
for dumping is not permitted. Import is permitted only for reuse or recycling or reprocessing
with the permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Units handling e-waste are
required to obtain registration and authorization from the concerned State Pollution Control
Board. The Ministry has constituted a Coordination Committee to oversee the implementation
of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, especially
for tackling illegal traffic of hazardous wastes, including e-waste. As per these Rules,
the Customs authorities are required to ensure that every shipment is accompanied by a
movement document and random samples of the consignments are taken and analyzed to prevent
misdeclaration.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has published the draft notification of e-waste
(Management and Handling) Rules, 2010 for seeking comments from all stakeholders. These
draft rules prescribe the responsibility of the Producers, Distributers, Refurbishers,
Consumers, Bulk Consumers, Dismantlers and Recyclers for safe handling of e-waste.