Registration for Scrap Battery Import- An Overview

Batteries are a part of our daily life. With the increase in the use of portable power consuming products, there has been a huge demand of it. These batteries contain toxic metals and even corrosive materials that can be harmful for the environment and pose a threat to humans also. Therefore for its proper handling, rules and regulations have been framed to deal in batteries. The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001, deal with the management of batteries and also import. Specific registration must be obtained to deal in Scrap Battery Import.

Legal Framework governing Scrap Battery Import

Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001

The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001 provided a blueprint of the plan of the government to execute these rules and how it will help in handling batteries efficiently without posing threat to the environment.

While importing, the importers need to adhere to the guidelines as prescribed under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001. They are required to meet certain compliances also. According to the provisions under Rule 5 of Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001, the responsibility of providing registration to the importers has been delegated from the Ministry of Environment and Forest to the Central Pollution Control Board. Hence the importer should first get registered before dealing in import of batteries.

Hazardous Waste Management Rules

Hazardous Waste Management Rules were notified to ensure secure handling , generation, treatment, import, package, processing, storage, transportation, re-processing, collection, conversion, offering for sale, destruction and disposal of Hazardous Waste. The Rules specify corresponding duties of various authorities like MoEF, CPCB, State/UT Govts., SPCBs/PCCs, DGFT, Port Authority and Custom Authority while State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees were entrusted with broader responsibilities under this touching across almost every aspect of Hazardous wastes generation, handling and their disposal.

Scrap Battery Import (India)

India imports scrap batteries from many countries. The dollar value of import of scrap batteries in 2020-21 stood at 893 Million USD and 152.9 Million USD in 2018. Year by year the import of batteries have grown especially during 2014-18.

Let's take a look at the top 10 countries from where India imported scrap batteries.

Among some of the top importing countries, India has imported scrap batteries from USA with shipments in 2020-21 valued at 106.5 Million USD. This is higher than the previous year Scrap Batteries shipments from USA into India. Placed at second, Malaysia is another country from which India imported close to 72.89 Million USD worth scrap batteries. The top 10 countries shared 62.14% of the Scrap Batteries import to India.

Among the nations exporting Scrap Batteries to India, Mauritius recorded the fastest growth in their Scrap Batteries export to India. There was a rise of 2600.0% in the Scrap Batteries import from Mauritius.

Procedure of obtaining registration for scrap battery import

• A recycler having a license from the state pollution control board (SPCB) to recycle such material and who is looking to import such material should apply to the respective state pollution control board in advance.
• The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) will then forward such application with recommendations and requisite stipulations for the safe transport, and processing in 30 days of receipt of the application.
• The state government shall provide the NOC for import if the importer submits a valid informed consent letter with authenticated copy from the concerned authority of the exporting country.
• For this certification, an actual user like recycler or trader both will be eligible. On the basis of this certification granted by the MOEF/SPCB, a trader can start importing the scrap battery in India.

Scrap Battery Import- Compliances

The importer of battery scrap should maintain a record of wastes imported by him in Form-3, which should be made available whenever required. The importer should also file annual return in Form 4 to the SPCB (State Pollution Control Board).

We at FastZeal have team of dedicated and skilled professionals who will help you obtain the Scrap Battery Import license from the concerned authority. Complete assistance will be provided in the application filing process and get advisory on the same. Contact FastZeal today.