Amendment in Hazardous Waste
(Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
·
Plastic Waste Import in SEZ and
EOU Banned
·
Movements come to a Dead Stop at
Ports since Transition Arrangements to cover Prior Commitments not Covered
·
Silk Waste Exports Exempted from MoEF Clearance
·
Mismatch between Environment
Rules Removed
·
Re-import of Electronic Goods
within One Year of Export Allowed without CPCB Clearance for E-waste
In order to strengthen
the implementation of environmentally sound management of hazardous waste in
the country, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended
the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules,
2016 vide notification G.S.R. XX (E), dated 01 March 2019.
The amendment has been done keeping into consideration the “Ease of Doing
Business” and boosting “Make in India” initiative by simplifying the procedures
under the Rules, while at the same time upholding the principles of sustainable
development and ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
Some of the salient
features of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management& Transboundary
Movement) Amendment Rules, 2019 are as follows:
1.
Solid
plastic waste has been prohibited from import into the
country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units
(EOU).
2.
Exporters
of silk waste have now been given exemption from
requiring permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change.
3.
Electrical
and electronic assemblies and components manufactured in and exported from
India, if found defective can now be imported back
into the country, within a year of export, without obtaining permission from
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
4.
Industries which do not require consent under Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act 1981, are now exempted from requiring authorization also under
the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules,
2016, provided that hazardous and other wastes generated by such industries are
handed over to the authorized actual users, waste collectors or disposal
facilities.