[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/India Hazardous Chemicals Rules IndiaEnvironmental compliance guide # India E-Waste Rules and Hazardous Chemicals Compliance for Electronics Companies India's E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 impose RoHS-equivalent substance restrictions and mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility on every electronics producer and importer selling into the Indian market. EPR registration with CPCB, annual collection targets, and tradeable EPR certificate compliance are now baseline requirements for legal electronics sales in India — not optional programmes. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Findia-hazardous-chemicals-rules) At a glance Law E-Waste Rules 2022 Substances Schedule II (RoHS 6) EPR register CPCB (mandatory) Certificates Tradeable EPR certificates ## India's electronics environmental compliance framework ### India's E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 (notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986) replaced the 2016 Rules and significantly expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for electronics manufacturers, producers, and importers. Schedule I lists electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) categories in scope — covering IT and telecom equipment, consumer electronics, lighting, power tools, and more. EPR obligations require producers to ensure a specified percentage of their placed-on-market volume is collected, channelled to authorised recyclers, and documented through EPR certificates. ### RoHS-equivalent substance restrictions Schedule II of the E-Waste Rules restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment — equivalent to the EU RoHS Directive. The restricted substances are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) — the same six as EU RoHS 1. The maximum concentration values are identical: 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials for lead, mercury, Cr VI, PBBs, PBDEs; 0.01% for cadmium. Products placed on the Indian market must comply with these restrictions. ### EPR certificate system and compliance targets Under the 2022 Rules, producers must register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and obtain EPR authorisation. Annual EPR targets specify the weight of e-waste each producer must ensure is collected and recycled — initially set as a percentage of the producer's historical sales volume and increasing over time. Producers must obtain EPR certificates from CPCB-registered dismantlers or recyclers confirming the required weight of e-waste has been processed. Certificates are tradeable — companies that exceed their targets can sell surplus certificates to companies that fall short. ### Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2016 The Hazardous Waste Rules regulate storage, handling, transport, import, export, and disposal of hazardous waste in India. For electronics companies, relevance arises in manufacturing (handling solvents, etchants, plating chemicals), in the end-of-life management of process waste and defective products, and in import/export of hazardous materials. Companies manufacturing in India must maintain proper hazardous waste storage, use authorised transporters, and dispose through CPCB-approved facilities. Import of e-waste for recycling is heavily restricted. ## E-Waste and EPR compliance steps 01 Determine whether your products are in scope under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 — the schedule covers most IT, telecom, consumer electronics, and lighting products — and register as a producer/importer with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through the CPCB's online EPR portal. 02 Test all electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Indian market for compliance with Schedule II restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr VI, PBBs, PBDEs at the same limits as EU RoHS) — obtain test reports from accredited laboratories confirming compliance. 03 Calculate your EPR obligation: your annual target weight of e-waste to be collected and processed is based on sales volume data submitted to CPCB — understand the calculation methodology and set internal collection targets. 04 Identify CPCB-authorised dismantlers and recyclers for your product categories and establish EPR agreements with them — recyclers issue EPR certificates confirming e-waste processed, which you submit to CPCB to demonstrate compliance. 05 Set up a take-back mechanism: producers must provide consumers with accessible e-waste collection channels — this can be through manufacturer-operated collection points, agreements with retailers to act as collection points, or registered PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) programmes. 06 Submit annual EPR returns to CPCB by the prescribed deadline — the return reports volume placed on the market, EPR target, and EPR certificates obtained — and maintain records for at least 5 years. 07 For manufacturing operations in India, assess Hazardous Waste Rules compliance: inventory your chemical inputs and process waste, ensure storage meets prescribed standards, and verify all hazardous waste disposal goes through authorised facilities. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are the India e-waste substance restrictions the same as EU RoHS? Yes — Schedule II of India's E-Waste Rules restricts the same six substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr VI, PBBs, PBDEs) at the same maximum concentration values as EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC (the original RoHS 1). India has not yet adopted the four additional phthalate restrictions introduced by EU RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU), so products compliant with EU RoHS 2 are compliant with India's current Schedule II. However, India may update Schedule II in future amendments. ### What is a PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) and do I need one? A PRO is a body authorised by CPCB that fulfils EPR obligations on behalf of multiple producers. Instead of managing take-back, recycler relationships, and certificate procurement independently, smaller producers can join a PRO and have the PRO manage these logistics against their EPR target. PROs are particularly useful for importers or brands with limited India infrastructure — they handle the collection network, authorised recycler relationships, and certificate aggregation for a fee. Check the CPCB portal for the list of registered PROs. ### What happens if a producer misses its EPR collection target? Under the 2022 Rules, producers who fail to meet their EPR collection and recycling targets face financial penalties and environmental compensation charges payable to the Environment Protection Fund. The 2022 Rules introduced a tradeable EPR certificate market specifically to provide a compliance pathway for producers who cannot meet targets through direct collection — they can purchase surplus certificates from producers that over-collect. Persistent non-compliance can result in CPCB cancelling EPR authorisation, which would make continued sales of covered products unlawful. ### Do importers of electronics have the same EPR obligations as manufacturers? Yes — importers of electrical and electronic equipment into India are treated as 'producers' under the E-Waste Rules for EPR purposes. An importer of finished electronics must register with CPCB, report volumes imported, and meet EPR collection targets just as a domestic manufacturer does. The 2022 Rules extended and tightened EPR obligations on importers — companies that sell into India through distributors should review whether the importer-of-record or the brand owner carries the EPR obligation under their specific commercial arrangements. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. India's e-waste rules are subject to CPCB amendments and new guidance. Consult a qualified Indian environmental law specialist or authorised PRO for EPR registration and compliance planning. 🇮🇳 India roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇮🇳 India compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/04-bis-certification-for-electronics)[Prefer to read? 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