Question : HAZARDOUS WASTES

(a) the existing policy for import of scrap and other hazardous wastes;

(b) whether instances of non-adherence to the said policy have been reported; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 158 FOR ANSWER ON 4.08.2010 REGARDING “HAZARDOUS WASTES” RAISED BY SHRI HARISH CHAUDHARY AND SHRI ANJAN KUMAR M. YADAV.

(a) to (c): 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. Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes is regulated as per these rules. Import of hazardous wastes for disposal is not permitted. Import of waste is permitted only for reuse or recycling or reprocessing. Under these Rules, there is a ban on import of certain categories of hazardous wastes, while import of other categories is regulated. Procedures have been laid down for obtaining permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests or Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or both.

As per these Rules, all import consignments are required to be accompanied by a movement document and a test report from an accredited laboratory or a pre-shipment inspection certificate from a recognized agency. The Customs authorities are required to enforce the aforesaid provisions. In case of violation of these rules, the consignments are required to be re-exported to the country of origin.

The Ministry has constituted a Coordination Committee to oversee the implementation of the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. It comprises of representatives from Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), Ministry of Commerce and Industries (DGFT), Ministry of Shipping, Central Pollution Control Board, select State Pollution Control Boards and experts.