E-Waste Recyclers: Submit Sales Data and Generate EPR Certificates for FY 2024-25

E-Waste Recyclers: Submit Sales Data and Generate EPR Certificates for FY 2024-25. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 as amended, has issued a crucial update for all registered e-waste recyclers in India. As per the latest notification, recyclers are advised to submit their sales data and generate corresponding denominated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates for the financial year 2024-2025 on or before the date of filing their annual return or 30th June 2025, whichever is earlier. This article offers a detailed and simple-to-understand explanation of this development and its implications for recyclers and producers alike.
What Is an EPR Certificate?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory mechanism that assigns producers the responsibility of managing the end-of-life disposal of their products. The EPR certificate is a compliance document issued to recyclers upon the successful recycling of e-waste. These certificates are denominated, meaning they carry a specific value in kilograms that represents the quantity of e-waste recycled.
These certificates can be transferred to registered producers who are obligated to fulfill their own EPR targets. Hence, these certificates serve as a critical instrument in the E-Waste Management ecosystem in India.
What the Notification Says
The official notification states that recyclers must submit their sales data and generate corresponding denominated EPR certificates for the financial year 2024-25. This submission must be completed by the date of filing their Annual Return or 30th June 2025, whichever is earlier.
Once generated, the denominated EPR certificates can then be transferred to registered Producers. These certificates will remain valid for two years from the date of issuance as per the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.
Importance of Timely Submission
Timely submission of sales data is crucial for the following reasons:

Compliance: Recyclers who fail to submit their data in time may not be able to generate EPR certificates, leading to non-compliance under the rules.

Business Continuity: Timely availability of EPR certificates ensures that Producers can meet their own compliance obligations by acquiring certificates.

Certificate Validity: Since the EPR certificate is valid for two years, delaying its generation can impact its utility for future compliance purposes.

How to Submit Sales Data and Generate EPR Certificates
The process for submitting sales data and generating EPR certificates involves the following steps:

Upload Sales Data: This includes details of e-waste collected and recycled, properly documented with the date and quantity.

Verification: The CPCB may review the data for accuracy.

Generation of EPR Certificate: Upon approval, a denominated EPR certificate is issued to the recycler.

Transfer to Producers: These certificates can then be transferred to registered producers through the same portal.

Who Are the Stakeholders?
The major stakeholders impacted by this notification include:

Recyclers: Responsible for recycling e-waste and generating EPR certificates.

Producers: Obligated to meet their EPR targets and depend on recyclers for certificates.

Central and State Pollution Control Boards: Oversee the compliance and monitoring of the EPR mechanism.

Denominated EPR Certificates: Meaning and Purpose
A denominated EPR certificate specifies the exact quantity of e-waste recycled by a recycler. For instance, a certificate may denote 100 kg of recycled laptops. This precision ensures that the amount claimed by a producer in compliance reports is directly supported by actual recycling activity.
These certificates not only enable legal compliance but also bring about transparency and traceability in e-waste recycling.
Validity and Transfer of Certificates
Each EPR certificate generated is valid for two years from the date of issuance. During this period, recyclers can transfer these certificates to any registered producer.
After the expiry of the validity period, unused certificates lapse and cannot be used to meet EPR targets. Therefore, producers must ensure that they purchase and use valid certificates within this two-year window.
Annual Return Filing: Its Role in Certificate Generation
The Annual Return is a comprehensive report submitted by recyclers that contains data on:

Quantity of e-waste collected and processed

Details of certificates issued

Partners and producers to whom certificates are transferred

As per the rules, the certificate generation process must be completed before the filing of the Annual Return or by 30.06.2025, whichever is earlier. Filing the Annual Return without generating the certificates may result in missed opportunities to monetize recycling efforts.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Recyclers who fail to submit their data on time may face the following consequences:

Inability to generate EPR certificates

Penalties under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

Loss of credibility and business with registered producers

Non-compliance may also result in suspension of authorization and registration.
Support for Recyclers
The CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards may provide:

Technical support to upload data on the portal

Helpdesks for addressing queries related to certificate generation

Training sessions or webinars to educate recyclers on filing and data formats

Recyclers are encouraged to reach out to their respective SPCB offices or the CPCB helpdesk for guidance well before the due date.
Conclusion
The latest update under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 emphasizes the timely submission of sales data and generation of denominated EPR certificates. Recyclers must treat this as a mandatory compliance requirement and complete the process by 30th June 2025 or before filing their Annual Return, whichever is earlier. These certificates serve as the cornerstone for enabling producers to meet their environmental obligations and promote a robust circular economy in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the deadline for submitting e-waste sales data and generating EPR certificates? 
Ans. The deadline is either the date of filing the Annual Return or 30th June 2025, whichever comes first.
Q2. What is a denominated EPR certificate? 
Ans. It is a certificate that specifies the exact quantity (in kg) of e-waste recycled and is transferable to producers.
Q3. What happens if I miss the deadline? 
Ans. You may not be able to generate EPR certificates for FY 2024-25 and could face penalties.
Q4. Who can use the generated EPR certificates? 
Ans. Only registered Producers under the E-Waste Management Rules can use these certificates.
Q5. What is the validity period of an EPR certificate? 
Ans. Each certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance.
Q6. How are EPR certificates transferred to producers? 
Ans. Through the Central Pollution Control Board’s online E-Waste Portal.
Q7. Is there any fee for generating EPR certificates? 
Ans. No separate fee is required; it is part of the compliance obligations for recyclers.
Q8. What is the role of SPCBs in this process? 
Ans. They assist with oversight, verification, and technical support to recyclers.
Q9. Can a producer use an expired EPR certificate? 
Ans. No. Expired certificates are not valid for EPR compliance.
Q10. Where can I get help if I face issues uploading data? 
Ans. Recyclers can contact the CPCB helpdesk or their respective State Pollution Control Board.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 as amended, has issued a crucial update for all registered e-waste recyclers in India. As per the latest notification, recyclers are advised to submit their sales data and generate corresponding denominated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates for the financial year 2024-2025 on or before the date of filing their annual return or 30th June 2025, whichever is earlier. This article offers a detailed and simple-to-understand explanation of this development and its implications for recyclers and producers alike.

What Is an EPR Certificate?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory mechanism that assigns producers the responsibility of managing the end-of-life disposal of their products. The EPR certificate is a compliance document issued to recyclers upon the successful recycling of e-waste. These certificates are denominated, meaning they carry a specific value in kilograms that represents the quantity of e-waste recycled.

These certificates can be transferred to registered producers who are obligated to fulfill their own EPR targets. Hence, these certificates serve as a critical instrument in the E-Waste Management ecosystem in India.

What the Notification Says

The official notification states that recyclers must submit their sales data and generate corresponding denominated EPR certificates for the financial year 2024-25. This submission must be completed by the date of filing their Annual Return or 30th June 2025, whichever is earlier.

Once generated, the denominated EPR certificates can then be transferred to registered Producers. These certificates will remain valid for two years from the date of issuance as per the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

Importance of Timely Submission

Timely submission of sales data is crucial for the following reasons:

Compliance: Recyclers who fail to submit their data in time may not be able to generate EPR certificates, leading to non-compliance under the rules.
Business Continuity: Timely availability of EPR certificates ensures that Producers can meet their own compliance obligations by acquiring certificates.
Certificate Validity: Since the EPR certificate is valid for two years, delaying its generation can impact its utility for future compliance purposes.

How to Submit Sales Data and Generate EPR Certificates

The process for submitting sales data and generating EPR certificates involves the following steps:

Login to the CPCB Portal: Recyclers must access the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) E-Waste Portal.
Upload Sales Data: This includes details of e-waste collected and recycled, properly documented with the date and quantity.
Verification: The CPCB may review the data for accuracy.
Generation of EPR Certificate: Upon approval, a denominated EPR certificate is issued to the recycler.
Transfer to Producers: These certificates can then be transferred to registered producers through the same portal.

Who Are the Stakeholders?

The major stakeholders impacted by this notification include:

Recyclers: Responsible for recycling e-waste and generating EPR certificates.
Producers: Obligated to meet their EPR targets and depend on recyclers for certificates.
Central and State Pollution Control Boards: Oversee the compliance and monitoring of the EPR mechanism.

Denominated EPR Certificates: Meaning and Purpose

A denominated EPR certificate specifies the exact quantity of e-waste recycled by a recycler. For instance, a certificate may denote 100 kg of recycled laptops. This precision ensures that the amount claimed by a producer in compliance reports is directly supported by actual recycling activity.

These certificates not only enable legal compliance but also bring about transparency and traceability in e-waste recycling.

Validity and Transfer of Certificates

Each EPR certificate generated is valid for two years from the date of issuance. During this period, recyclers can transfer these certificates to any registered producer.

After the expiry of the validity period, unused certificates lapse and cannot be used to meet EPR targets. Therefore, producers must ensure that they purchase and use valid certificates within this two-year window.

Annual Return Filing: Its Role in Certificate Generation

The Annual Return is a comprehensive report submitted by recyclers that contains data on:

Quantity of e-waste collected and processed
Details of certificates issued
Partners and producers to whom certificates are transferred

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Recyclers who fail to submit their data on time may face the following consequences:

Inability to generate EPR certificates
Penalties under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022
Loss of credibility and business with registered producers

Non-compliance may also result in suspension of authorization and registration.

Support for Recyclers

The CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards may provide:

Technical support to upload data on the portal
Helpdesks for addressing queries related to certificate generation
Training sessions or webinars to educate recyclers on filing and data formats

Recyclers are encouraged to reach out to their respective SPCB offices or the CPCB helpdesk for guidance well before the due date.

Conclusion

The latest update under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 emphasizes the timely submission of sales data and generation of denominated EPR certificates. Recyclers must treat this as a mandatory compliance requirement and complete the process by 30th June 2025 or before filing their Annual Return, whichever is earlier. These certificates serve as the cornerstone for enabling producers to meet their environmental obligations and promote a robust circular economy in India.