India’s battery sector is expanding rapidly, especially in electric vehicles, solar storage, and consumer electronics. With this growth comes new environmental responsibility. The Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, amended in 2025, make it mandatory for every business introducing batteries into the market—manufacturers, importers, or assemblers—to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
This article explains what EPR means for your business, how responsibilities differ for each stakeholder, and what steps are required to stay compliant under CPCB’s framework.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) means that the company placing batteries on the market is responsible for managing them after they reach end-of-life. The rule ensures that waste batteries are collected, recycled, or refurbished in an environmentally safe way.
Core requirements:
EPR aligns business operations with sustainability and helps prevent uncontrolled dumping or unsafe disposal of used batteries.
Who they are:
Companies manufacturing and selling batteries in India under their own brand.
Key responsibilities:
Business impact:
Lack of registration or incomplete returns can lead to suspension, environmental compensation, and loss of supply contracts. Manufacturers should set up a clear internal compliance calendar for smooth renewal and audit processes.
Who they are:
Businesses importing batteries or battery-operated equipment into India.
Key responsibilities:
Business impact:
Non-compliance can delay customs clearance and result in environmental penalties. Integration of EPR documentation with customs and logistics systems avoids repeated verification delays.
Who they are:
Companies assembling battery cells or modules into finished battery packs or equipment for sale under their brand.
Key responsibilities:
Business insight:
Assemblers frequently overlook EPR registration, assuming compliance by component suppliers. However, liability lies with the brand placing the final product on the market.
| Annual Turnover (₹ Crore) | Registration Fee (₹) | Validity | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 Cr | 10,000 | 5 years | Same as registration |
| 5 – 50 Cr | 20,000 | 5 years | Same |
| Above 50 Cr | 40,000 | 5 years | Same |
Interpretation: EPR registration costs are minimal compared to penalties for non-compliance. Early registration ensures uninterrupted manufacturing and import approvals.
Recyclers generate EPR certificates based on the amount of metal recovered from waste batteries—such as lead, lithium, nickel, cobalt, or iron. Producers buy these certificates through the CPCB portal to meet their assigned obligations.
| Key Metal | Typical Recovery Rate | Compliance Credit Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 60 – 80 % | 1 credit = 1 kg lead recycled |
| Lithium | 1 – 5 % | Lower yield → higher certificate need |
| Nickel / Cobalt | 10 – 20 % | Higher-value metals = valuable credits |
Understanding recovery rates helps companies forecast future certificate requirements and manage costs effectively.
CPCB can suspend or cancel a producer’s registration and impose Environmental Compensation if:
Environmental compensation can include both financial penalties and temporary bans on business activity. Regular internal audits and third-party verification of EPR data can prevent such issues.
Many companies hire registered Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) to handle day-to-day EPR operations.
A PRO typically:
While outsourcing to a PRO simplifies compliance, the legal responsibility remains with the producer. It is essential to verify the PRO’s registration, recycler network, and audit reports periodically.
| Step | Action | When to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register on the CPCB EPR Battery Portal | Before market entry |
| 2 | Submit company, product, and sales details | At registration |
| 3 | Partner with authorized recyclers or a PRO | Ongoing |
| 4 | Purchase EPR certificates as per targets | Quarterly or annually |
| 5 | File annual returns and maintain records | By June 30 each year |
EPR compliance is now central to business continuity in India’s battery industry. Manufacturers, importers, and assemblers who integrate EPR practices early not only avoid penalties but also gain stronger market credibility and smoother regulatory clearances.
By aligning environmental responsibility with operational efficiency, companies can build trust with customers, investors, and regulators—turning compliance into a long-term growth advantage.
For guidance on CPCB registration, EPR certificate procurement, or PRO coordination:
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Yes. If an assembler sells batteries or equipment under its own brand, it is treated as a producer and must obtain EPR registration from CPCB under the Battery Waste Management Rules.
The recycling or collection target starts at 30% of batteries placed on the market in the first year and gradually increases to 70% by the seventh year of operation.
Key documents include GST, PAN, CIN, Import Export Code (for importers), consent under Air and Water Acts, and a manufacturing or import declaration.
Registered recyclers issue EPR certificates based on the weight of recovered metals such as lead, lithium, or cobalt. Producers purchase these certificates through the CPCB portal to meet their annual obligations.
Yes. Producers may engage a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to manage collection, recycling, and reporting, but the legal responsibility remains with the producer.
