Solar Waste Treatment under E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 on 2 November, 2022. Management of solar PV modules panels/ cells has been added in Chapter V of the said rules.

As per these rules, every manufacturer and producer of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells shall:

1. ensure registration on the portal;
2. store solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells waste generated up to the year 2034-2035 as per the guidelines laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard;
3. file annual returns in the laid down form on the portal on or before the end of the year to which the return relates up to year 2034-2035;
4. ensure that the processing of the waste other than solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells shall be done as per the applicable rules or guidelines for the time being in force;
5. ensure that the inventory of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells shall be put in place distinctly on portal;
6. comply with standard operating procedure and guidelines laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

Further, Recycler of solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells shall be mandated for recovery of material as laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.