Li-ion Battery EPR Registration: Guidelines for EV & Portable Battery Producers

When Kavita Sharma launched her EV startup in Pune, she knew electric mobility was the future. What she didn’t know was that before selling a single battery, she’d have to register under India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. Between collecting documents, reporting sales data, and linking with recyclers, the process seemed daunting. Yet, once completed, her company unlocked smoother supply-chain approvals and full regulatory compliance.

If you make, assemble, or import lithium-ion batteries—whether for electric vehicles or consumer electronics—this guide explains the updated registration process, key targets, and business benefits of getting your CPCB EPR authorization right the first time.

Understanding EPR for Li-ion Batteries

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is India’s policy mechanism to make producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their batteries. In simple terms, the entity that introduces a battery into the market must ensure that, at the end of its life, the battery is collected and recycled responsibly.

Under the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, every manufacturer, importer, or brand owner dealing in batteries must register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This includes producers of portable cells, power-banks, and electric-vehicle battery packs. The registration process happens entirely online through CPCB’s centralized portal, ensuring transparency and traceability across India.

By making registration mandatory, the government aims to close the loop on metal recovery, reduce landfill waste, and formalize India’s growing battery-recycling ecosystem.

Why EV and Portable Battery Producers Must Register

Many new EV and electronics companies underestimate how crucial EPR registration is. But registration is not just a paperwork formality—it’s a license to operate legally and sustainably.

Key reasons:

• Legal requirement – Every entity placing batteries in the Indian market must hold valid CPCB registration before sale or import.
• Access to compliance credits – Without registration, producers cannot purchase or trade recycling certificates issued by authorized recyclers.
• Customer and OEM trust – OEMs, distributors, and investors increasingly demand EPR numbers as proof of responsible business.
• Avoid penalties and delays – CPCB can suspend or revoke licenses, impose environmental compensation, and block new applications if rules are ignored.

In short, EPR registration is both a compliance necessity and a competitive advantage.

Step-by-Step Registration Process for Li-ion Battery Producers

Step	Action Required	Details / Documents
1. Create Account	Sign up on eprbatterycpcb.in using company email. Verify via OTP.	Authorized signatory’s Aadhaar & PAN details, company CIN & GST number.
2. Select Producer Type	Choose relevant category—manufacturer, importer, or assembler.	CPCB defines 17 producer types based on activity.
3. Upload Business Documents	Submit GST, PAN, CIN, SPCB consent under Air & Water Acts, Import-Export Code (if applicable).	PDF only. Ensure all addresses match GST record.
4. Add Battery Information	Specify battery type (Portable, EV, Industrial), chemistry (Li-ion, NMC, LFP, etc.), and brand details.	Enter HSN Code and weight of batteries sold.
5. Enter Sales and Material Data	Upload year-wise sales volume (in kg) and metal composition (Li, Ni, Co, Fe, Al).	Portal auto-generates EPR targets based on sales data.
6. Pay Registration Fee	Pay online via integrated gateway.	Fee based on annual turnover (see below).
7. Approval & Certificate	CPCB reviews application and issues digital certificate.	Valid for five years from approval date.

Registration Fees for Battery Producers

Annual Turnover / Revenue (INR Crore)	Application Fee (₹)
Below 5 Cr	10,000
5 – 50 Cr	20,000
Above 50 Cr	40,000

Renewal fees are identical to registration fees and are paid online each cycle.

Recycling and EPR Target Calculation for Li-ion Batteries

Unlike lead-acid batteries, Li-ion cells contain multiple metals—lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, iron, aluminium, and copper. CPCB allocates EPR targets based on the weight and composition of these metals in each battery type.

Battery Type	Key Metals Recovered	Typical Recovery Range (% by Weight)	EPR Certificate Basis
Li-ion (NMC, LFP, NCA)	Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Cu	Li 1-5 % • Ni 5-20 % • Co 5-20 % • Fe 5-25 % • Al 5-10 %	Certificates are issued for each metal recovered and sold by registered recyclers.
Lead-acid	Lead (Pb)	60-80 %	Certificate per kg of lead sold.
Zinc / Ni-Cd	Zn, Ni, Cd	15-40 %	Certificate per metal recovered.

Producers meet their EPR targets by purchasing certificates equal to the metal content obligation of their sold batteries. All transactions are logged on the CPCB portal for audit traceability.

Validity, Renewal and Reporting Obligations

• The registration is valid for five years.
• Producers must apply for renewal 60 days before expiry.
• Annual returns detailing sales and EPR certificate usage must be filed by 30 June each year.
• Applications with pending returns or unpaid fees will not be processed for renewal.
• CPCB audits and EPR camps are used to verify data and certificates submitted by producers.

Maintaining timely returns not only ensures smooth renewal but also demonstrates a company’s credibility to clients and regulators.

What Changed with the 2025 Amendment

The Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2025 introduced two major updates that directly affect Li-ion producers:

1. Mandatory Barcode or QR Code Labeling – Every battery or equipment must carry a unique EPR registration number linked through a barcode or QR code.
2. Quarterly Public List of Producers – CPCB will publish a list of registered producers and their updated details every quarter, improving supply-chain traceability.
3. Exemptions for Low-Metal Batteries – Batteries with extremely low cadmium or lead content are exempt from symbol marking requirements.

These changes enhance product tracking and simplify enforcement for both manufacturers and regulators.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

1. Address Mismatch: The portal auto-validates GST and CIN addresses — any discrepancy delays approval.
2. Missing Chemistry Data: Selecting “battery pack” without choosing its chemistry (Li-ion, NMC, LFP) is a common error.
3. Consultant Emails: Use the company’s authorized email, not a consultant’s address.
4. Unverified SPCB Consent: Manufacturing units must upload valid Air and Water Act consents.
5. Incorrect Units: Sales must be entered in weight (kg or tonnes), not in number of batteries.

Attention to these details can cut approval time from weeks to days.

Penalties and Compliance Risks

Non-Compliance	Possible Action	Impact on Business
Submission of false information or documents	Registration revoked and fees forfeited; fresh application required.	Operational pause for 3–6 months.
Failure to meet EPR targets	Environmental compensation and temporary suspension of registration.	Financial loss + restricted sales to OEMs.
Dealing with unregistered recyclers or suppliers	Legal violation under Battery Waste Rules 2022.	EPR credits stand invalid; loss of compliance status.

Timely reporting and working only with registered recyclers help avoid such penalties.

A Lesson from the Field

A Bengaluru-based portable battery startup ignored its quarterly return filings, assuming annual reports were enough. CPCB flagged its account and froze imports until the returns were updated. After the company regularized its EPR data and linked an authorized recycler, operations resumed smoothly.
The takeaway: EPR compliance is not a one-time task — it’s an ongoing business discipline.

Conclusion

EPR registration for Li-ion battery producers is a cornerstone of India’s circular economy. It not only ensures regulatory compliance but also strengthens your brand as an environmentally responsible manufacturer or importer.
Registering early on the CPCB portal streamlines your supply chain, simplifies export and OEM approvals, and prevents future compliance headaches.

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