Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) 2022 – EPR & Obligations

Agenda for
21-23 June
2023

L Pugazhenthy

Executive Director, India Lead Zinc Development Association, India

India introduced “Battery (Management & Handling) Rules” in 2001 for an organized collection of Used Lead Acid Batteries so that they can be reprocessed / recycled in an eco-friendly manner. An amendment was introduced in 2010 for Registration of Battery Dealers / Traders in different states of India with local regulatory bodies to maximize collection as well as recycling.

After the introduction of an Electric Vehicle Mission in India, Lithium-ion Batteries have been imported & used in two and three wheeled vehicles as well as cars and buses; the volume of Lithium-ion batteries have been slowly increasing year after year. Accordingly, the Indian Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change, felt the need for one comprehensive set of rules for all battery chemistries. This resulted in the new “Battery Waste Management Rules” that were introduced in August 2022 superseding the Battery (Management & Handling) Rules. This new legislative framework assigns Extended Produced Responsibility (EPR) to the Battery manufacturers and clarifies the roles of other stakeholders. The various responsibilities & provisions of BWMR 2022 will be highlighted during the presentation.

Bio

L Pugazhenthy, well known as “Mr Pug”, a Past National President of The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) is also the Executive Director of India Lead Zinc Development Association, a 60 year old non–profit, non-commercial body that disseminates technical information on Lead & Zinc as well as their downstream markets. He is a Metallurgical Engr by profession followed by Post Graduation in Business Mgmt as well as Marketing & Sales Mgmt with more than 45 years experience in Lead & Zinc market development, technical advisory services etc. Mr Pug was the Chairman of a Sectional Committee in the Bureau of Indian Standards; he has drafted rules for collection & green recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries for the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt.of India.

Mr Pugazhenthy received the prestigious International Lead Medal, at the Asian Battery Conference in Macau, China in 2009, for his significant contributions to the Lead Industry. Mr Pugazhenthy was also awarded the Hindustan Zinc Ltd Gold Medal in 2002 and Platinum Medal in 2014, both by The Indian Institute of Metals for his contributions to the Indian metallurgical industry. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from National Institute of Technology Trichy, in 2014.