Question : SAFE DISPOSAL OF CFLS

(a) whether as per a study, it is estimated that 14.93 million Compact Fluorescent Lamps ( CFL ) which release approximately 74.65 Kg. of mercury were disposed of unsafely and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whethere there is no binding regulations for safe disposal CFL in the country and the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines drafted in 2008 for this purpose are being flouted and if so, the details thereof and the reasons threfore;

(c) whether many countries have implemented the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR ) policy for CFL where the manufactures take care of disposal and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the committee appointed by the Government has also recommended for implementing EPR in India and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) the further steps being taken by the Government to ensure safe disposal of CFLs and contain the hazards caused by mercury in the country ?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change is not aware of any such study.

(b) to (e) The issue of mercury releases from Compact Fluorescent Lamps ( CFLs) is a concern for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Ministry had constituted a Task Force to evolve a policy on `Environmentally Sound Management of mercury in Fluoresecent Lamps`, which adopted the `Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Mercury Management in Fluorescent Lamps Sector` prepared by a Technical Committee. The major recommendations of the Task Force include an independent notification under Environment ( Protection ) Act to manage the CFL waste which should inter alia include extended producers` responsibility. Process residues and waste from electronic industry; and mercury and mercury compounds are covered for regulation purpose under Schedule I and II, respectively of Hazardous Waste ( Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement ) Rules, 2008 CFL with mercury content of more than 5 mg and regulated under Rule 13 of e - waste ( Management & Handling ) Rules, 2011. The Bureau of Indian Standards has finalized the Standard for CFL in April, 2014 , wherein mercury content of individual lamp has been prescribed to be limted to 5 mg per CFL. European countries follow the policy of Extended Producer Responsibility ( EPR) for dealing with waste electrical and electornic equipment, as per the WEEE Directive 2002/95/EC.