Why do you need EPR Certificate and how to get it?

Author: Jatin Rohatgi

Ever wondered how so many electronics manufacturing companies now exist. Think of it for a second. Each one of those electronic product including your PC, laptop and even home theatre, will one day get discarded. Considering that practically everyone now has one of those nowadays, there should be some way to deal with the electronic waste. That’s where we have to talk about EPR Certificate.

What is EPR Certificate?

EPR Certificate means the certificate that proves that you’ve taken up the Extended Producer Responsibility, as the producer of electronic goods, to deal with the electronic wastes that’s generated. By accepting EPR registration, you declare that you:

  1. Abide by the rules of electronic waste management.

  2. Ensure to deal with the electronic waste generated through your factories.

  3. Either establish an in house recycling unit or get into an agreement with the existing recyclers.

  4. Ensure that the environment is protected at all costs.

It’s not just manufacturers that are in need for EPR certificate. Apply for it even when you need EPR certificate for import of Electronic wastes.

So, why you need EPR certificate? To protect the environment while at the same time, get the power to manufacture electronic products.

Now let’s talk about how.

What is the process of acquiring the EPR Certificate?

It’s time that we delved into the EPR registration process and tell you what goes in getting this certification.

  1. Preparation of the document: EPR certificate is given by the Central Pollution Control Board via the state department. And you know that getting the right documents from the very start is the most important when it comes to getting any business license. That’s why, your very first step is to get all the documents ready.

  2. Fill the application form: After getting the documents ready, file the application form. You can download from the EPR portal of Indian government. Or, you can buy it from your regional CPCB body. In any case, once you have it, fill it, staple the documents to it, and deliver it with the EPR certificate fees to department.

  3. Application assessment: Regardless of what’s written here, it’s not only the application that has to be approved, it’s also the documents. That’s why, you should make double sure that the documents you’re submitting are correct and in order. If there are no issues you with your application, you’ll jump to the final step of the process. But in case there are issues, you might have to re-file your application.

  4. Application approval: Once and if the application is approved, the EPR Certification process will be complete.

Now, we are missing something here, aren’t we? Ah yes, the documents. Let’s talk about them.

What are the EPR certificate requirements?

You can fill all the right details in the application, you can even pay the fee on time without any issues. However, if there is no way for the department to know the accuracy of those details because the documents aren’t right, you won’t get the EPR certificate. Here are the EPR certificate requirements for documents.

  1. Address proof of your manufacturing plant

  2. Legal documents related to your exporter or manufacturer status

  3. Your contact information

  4. Copy of your PAN card

  5. Details of the documents that you’ve authorized to sign the documents

  6. Details of the products that your factory manufactures or your port imports

  7. If you have a BIS license, present a copy of it

  8. RoHS compliance certificate, it’s an important certification to have before applying for the license.

  9. Recycler details

  10. Details of how much e waste will be generated

  11. How much money you’re willing to spend on Electronic Producer Responsibility

  12. Details of the awareness programme you’ve launched to make people aware of waste management.

  13. Extended Producer Responsibility plan

  14. Copy of the agreement you’ve signed with the disposal and storage centers, collection centres and dealers.

  15. Website content showcasing the awareness programmes you’ve launched.

Conclusion

Your need EPR certificate to accept the responsibility to protect the environment by dealing with the E waste. To get it, you have to approach the central pollution control board. If you have any queries, you can reach out to EPR consultants for support.