Essentiality of 'Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-Authorisation' from CPCB for the Import of E-goods - Customs - 04/2018

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CUSTOM HOUSE, WILLINGDON ISLAND, COCHIN-682009 F.No.C1/03/2016 TU. Cus. Date: 19.02.2018 TRADE FACILITY NO. 04/2018 Sub: Essentiality of 'Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-Authorisation' from CPCB for the Import of E-goods Reg. Kind attention of exporters, importers, Customs Brokers, Steamer Agents and all other stakeholders is drawn to the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which had come into effect from 01.10.2016 and the requirement of `Extended Producer Responsibility - Authorisation' specified therein. 2. As per the said Rules, every producer of e-Goods, which includes any person who offers to sell imported Electrical and Electronic equipment (as listed in Schedule -I of the said Rules) and their components or consumables or parts or spares, must obtain `Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)- Authorisation' from the Central Pollution Control Board. Further, Para 2.03 (a) of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 states that Domestic Rules applicable to domestically produced goods shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to imports unless specifically exempted. Thus, the requirement of EPR authorisation would also be applicable to the Importers of E-goods 3. In this regard, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board has vide Letter PCB/HO/E-WASTE/EPR/45/2017 dated 16.01.2018 clarified that EPR Authorisation is applicable in the case of Import of such goods. Consequently, the producers who have obtained EPR Authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board are eligible to import Electrical and Electronic equipment and their components or consumables or parts or spares. 4. The Producers, importing Electrical and Electronic equipments (as listed in Schedule-I of the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016) including their components, consumables, parts and spares are directed to apply to the Central Pollution Control Board for EPR Authorisation in Form- 1 ibid. 5. All the stakeholders are required to take cognisance and comply with the same to avoid difficulty while importing Electrical and Electronic equipments. SUMIT KUMAR COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS