Question : MISUTILIZATION OF EST GUIDELINES

(a) whether Environmentally Sound Technologies (EST) used by firms engaged in the recycling/re-refining of used/waste oil was as per rule 21(1) of HW Rules;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has received any objections from certain Public representatives and industries on draft EST guidelines on Central Pollution Control Board`s (CPCB) web site; and;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto alongwith the details of action taken against the units which have misused registration in the past;

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a)&(d): As per Rule 21(1) of the Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 as amended in 2003, re-refiners and recyclers are required to use only environmentally sound technologies while recycling and re-refining of waste oil or used oil respectively. In case of used oil, re-refiners using acid clay process or modified acid clay process are required to adopt other Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) as given under Rule 21(1)(a) to 21(1)(d) of the Hazardous Wastes (Management & Handling) Amendment Rules, 2003.

2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is reported to have received representations on the draft guidelines formulated by it for recycling of waste oil and ref-refining of used oil. These covered following submissions:

(i)	Use of continuous process technology for re-refining of used oil;

(ii)	Batch process based re-refining be not permitted; and

(iii)	The technology for waste oil recycling and re-refining of used oil be as specified in the Rules.

The Expert Committee constituted by the CPCB on consideration of representations has maintained that:

(i)	Re-refining of used oil is not fractional distillation;

(ii)	Used oil is already a lubricating oil fraction and is only required to be re-refined; and

(ii)	The technologies mentioned under Rule 21(1)(a), 21(1)(b), 21(1)(c) and 21(1)(d) are	for used oil re-refining.