Updated on January 01, 2025 11:37:17 AM
Authorization of Hazardous Waste Management in India is one of the significant measures in environmental conservation and public wellbeing, as it is the fundamental element that upholds the handling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste. India’s framework of managing hazardous wastes has been regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 that rightly stresses on the identification, segregation, and disposal of hazardous wastes. The foregoing rules are meant to observe internationally accredited requirements and are meant to reduce the impact of hazardous wastes on the environment and health hazards. It’s a process by which. Authorization in the conceptual framework is given by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) which audits the industries that generate hazardous waste to evaluate their management techniques. This process guarantees that there will be only limited operations from only those NEs that follow set standards of waste management to prevent contamination and polluting the environment. The importance of hazardous waste management in the Indian context is evident because of its function in preserving the integrity of ecosystems, from water pollution, and health risk concerning the exposure to toxic waste.
The handling of hazardous waste in India is of particular importance in the sphere of environmental conservation while involving the competent and efficient handling of waste materials that may be lethal to human health or dangerous to the environment. The management of hazardous waste comes under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 enacted by the MoEFCC. These rules encompass a broad guideline for recognizing, picking up, storage, transferring, discharging and disposal of the poisonous waste throughout the country. The industries involved in generation of hazardous waste have to take authorization from the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) or Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to take permission for generation of the hazardous waste and has to follow more stringent norms for its disposal that it should be to the benefits of the society.
Some of the examples of hazardous wastes are industrial wastes as discussed above, biomedical wastes such as, hospital wastes, e wastes consisting of discarded electronic devices and other wastes mainly such wastes that are inflammable, toxic, reactive or corrosive. This means management of waste, getting the best out of what can be reused, and the efficient way of disposing waste e.g. through incineration, or through secure landfilling. The correct and adequate handling of hazardous wastes is appropriate to avoid polluting the environment, endangering the community’s health, and promoting the advancement of sustainable living. Likewise, the government stresses consciousness and industry liability in regard to the handling of dangerous waste, discriminating between conditions that encourage the production of waste and those that endorse recycling and reusing procedures.
Hazardous waste in India is categorized based on its chemical, physical, and biological properties that can pose potential risks to human health and the environment. Here are the main types of hazardous waste found in India:
Industrial waste is the biggest classification of hazardous waste in India which is produced from manufacturing and processing industries. It includes:
Biomedical waste or clinical waste is a waste produced from hospitals and other health care centers, labs, and research facilities. It includes:
E-waste is defined as electrical and electronic devices and appliances that are no longer of use and have detrimental chemicals. It includes:
Sources of agricultural waste are chemicals which are used in the farming process damaging both health and the environment:
Mining activities generate some residues which if not well dealt with, could prove disastrous. It includes:
Radioactive waste is not very frequent but when occurs, it occurs significantly due to Indian nuclear power plants:
Municipal waste is the other type of waste consisting of household and any commercial waste that is a potential danger because of the shuffling of material it carries:
Hazardous waste refers to wastes that have the potential of posing dangers to human life and the environment and hence, their disposal should be properly done. The wrong disposal of hazardous waste poses serious environmental implications affecting the soil, air, and water: it leads to the contraction of fatal diseases such as cancer, respiratory diseases, and neurological illnesses. A proper handling of waste and chemicals avoids pollution of the environment, the conservation of natural species, and adherence to the set standard of environmental conservation. It also works for sustainability since it fosters the reduction of waste, reuse, and proper disposal. Through the reduction of the adverse consequences of hazardous waste, management practice enhances safety of the public, conservation of the environment and developmental sustainability.
The benefits of Hazardous Waste Management Authorization include:
To obtain Hazardous Waste Management Authorization (HWA) in India, the following procedure must be followed, as outlined in the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
Complete the Form I, which involves crucial data about the person applying for the license, the type and amount of hazardous waste produced, and the plan for the disposal of the waste.
The application must be submitted accompanied by the fee once a person wants to commence commercial production.
Gather all the required documents for the procedure
The application will be observed and examined by the pollution control authority to determine compliance to the hazardous waste management.
If the application meets all the requirements, the HWA will be issued which is normally for a period not exceeding five years from the date of issue.
Renewal applications can only be filed 120 days to the date by which the existing authorization is set to expire. That same process is also used when renewal of either a single or multiple licenses is needed.
These documents are required to be submitted for the assessment of the applicant’s capability of managing, treating, storing and disposing hazardous wastes effectively by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC). The list of the main documents obligatory for hazardous waste management in India is briefly outlined below:
In India, an entity to engage in Hazardous Waste Management needs to apply to the SPCB or PCC using Form I complemented by the DPR among other documents including The Consent to Establish, Environmental Clearance, and Land proofs. After scrutinizing the application, the SPCB/PCC may for site inspection and the authorization certificate comes with conditions. The implementation of these conditions such as reporting, monitoring, and safety compliance are non-negotiable. Re-authorization is required when the authorization nears expiration, and failure to gain renewal will lead to suspension or revocation of authorization; with legal resources for appeals.
Particulars | Fees for Authorization (5 years) |
---|---|
All industry generation, managing, handling, storing, treating, disposing of Hazardous Waste | ₹10,000/- |
Professional Fees | ₹50,000/- |
Total | ₹60,000/- |
The validity of hazardous waste management authorization is 5 years. renewal of the authorization, An application for renewal of authorization should be filed one hundred and twenty days before the expiration of the existing authorization.
Despite the regulatory framework, India faces several challenges in managing hazardous waste effectively:
It is necessary to understand the authorizations related to Hazardous Waste Management in India to maintain a safe approach while handling, treating, and implementing the toxic products for the protection of human health and the environment. Regulated by the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, the process of exporting hazardous waste to Pakistan involves writing an application to the concerned SPCB/PCC accompanied by documents such as a legal authorization, a risk assessment report, and a transboundary movement plan; operating under strict conditions. Getting authorization is valid for 5 years and requires renewal and additionally safety and or environmental compliances. Thus, the recent attempts aimed at strengthening the regulation in the field of hazardous waste management remain insufficient due to the existing obstacles, including the lack of adequate infrastructure, discrepancies in the measures undertaken, and public unawareness of the problem.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
The Hazardous Waste Management Authorization is a special permission necessary to transport, treat, store and dump hazardous waste across India. That means environmental and safety standards are complied in accordance with the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
Hazardous waste generators, storage units, treatment, transportation and disposal units need to take permission from the SPCB or PCC.
These include form I application, consent to establish CTE and consent to operate CTO and environmental clearance EC site plans among others, ownership or lease for the site, emergency management plans and insurance policies and registration papers of the company.
It has a validity of five years regarding the authorization. For example, authorization holders seeking to continue offering services of an electronic communication network, must apply for renewal not later than 120 days to the expiry of current authorization.
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