How to get MOEF permission for import of used lead-acid batteries?

Introduction

• The import of lead acid battery concentrates and their processing means a bigger volume of lead bearing residues to remain in India. Since the recycling of used lead-acid batteries increase the burden on the already scarce landfills, the import of such batteries is regulated by the Ministry of Environment, forests & Climate Change (MOEFCC). The business entities desirous of such activity need to take permission for the export and import of goods hazardous wastes, from the MOEF.
• In India, the role and responsibility of MOEF is to give the license to the importers and exporters planning to work in the field of recycling of used lead-acid batteries. The MOEF permission is granted only after a systemic examination of goods.

MOEF responsibility of imported used lead-acid batteries

• The battery plates are covered by ISRI code. The importers are required to follow the guidelines of this code. It is a great responsibility of MOEF to take care of the products and their packaging & labelling. The origination documents submitted by the importer ensure whether the occupier has maintained the overall quality or not, and also handled the issues occurred related any accidental cases.
• Also, MOEF is in constant touch with the buyers and sellers for the imports and exports, post the completion of the entire the procedure. The list of activities to be taken care during the processing of lead-acid batteries include sheds, minimum movement during rains and slopes that must not permit any water logging.

MOEF website for import permission of used -acid batteries

• To get detailed information about the procedure for import or export of used lead-acid batteries, the desirous applicant needs to visit the official website of the MOEF. The importers & exporters can get information regarding wildlife laws & forest policies followed by the MOEF and its rules and regulations related to air & water pollution. Since lead acid batteries results in pollution, so it is very important to keep the environment clean.
• The business entity or an individual, planning to import and transit for trans boundary movement of hazardous wastes must follow all the guidelines. A proper hazardous waste management should be followed, which consists of the collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, and transportation of wastes.
• The business entity or an individual, dealing in the import of hazardous waste requires the permission of MOEF. No traders panning to import hazardous wastes like paper, scrap plastic, lead, rubber, lead-acid batteries, etc. can do so without the permission of MOEF in India.

MOEF permission for import of lead-acid batteries

As mentioned earlier, MOEF permission is much important for the import of any hazardous waste. The trade could be carried out only if the desirable person gets permission by MOEF. While importing hazardous waste in India, the trader must keep in mind that the motive must be recycling and not the disposal of the waste in India.The authorities which deal with the imports of activated carbon have to adhere to the terms and conditions of such hazardous waste.

Guidelines regarding MOEF Application

• The application duly filled must be addressed to the Joint Director, Hazardous Substances Management Division, Jal Block, 2nd Floor, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi-110003.
• Post the 73rd meeting of the Expert Committee, all applications seeking import/ export authorizations under Hazardous and other Wastes Rules, 2016 must be online through Ministry's waste management portal. The detailed steps to submit the applications are available on Ministry's website.
• The applicants are advised to visit the website of the Ministry for agendas, minutes, meeting notices, and other such information.
• Make sure to fill in the phone number and e-mail address of the contact person in the forwarding letter of the application.
• For any query or doubt /, the applicants can get in touch with the Ministry by calling on 011-24695444 between 4.30 PM - 5.30 PM on working days.
• The applicants applying for the first time in the Ministry may be required to be present in the Expert Committee Meeting for a technical discussion.
• Subsequent to the acceptance of online application in this Ministry, the applicants have to submit hard copy of the entire set of documents along with the application to this Ministry through post or via person before the commencement of the scheduled meeting of the Expert Committee.
• The applicants invited for the presentation by the Expert Committee must ensure their presence within two ensuing meetings of the Expert Committee.
• After following all the above procedures, The MOEF would either issue the NOC for import of lead-acid batteries or it may reject the application after giving the reasons of this in writing. The applicant may again apply for the same.

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The documents required for MOEF application for import of used lead-acid batteries are: 

• Valid Consent to Operate (CTO) under Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981.
• Valid Authorization under Hazardous and other Waste Rules, 2016.
• Chemical analysis report of the waste to be imported from a laboratory accredited or recognized by the exporting country.
• Process flow chart indicating adequate pollution control equipment.
• Photographs & Video CD of running the plant.
• Acknowledgement for receipt of the copy of the application from the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) / Pollution Control Committee (PCC) and the document depicting the status of employment generation indicating the no. of people benefitted.

Process of MOEF NOC for import of used lead-acid batteries

• After the complete application is submitted on the MOEF Portal, the Expert Committee (EC) looks into the application and the supporting documents submitted. If the EC requires any more documents or clarification from the applicant, it may issue the document deficiency, which is to be submitted online.
• After this, the EC issues schedule for online meeting with the applicants and later, decides whether to inspect the premises of the applicant or not, or whether to do it online or physical inspection. Once the decision regarding inspection of the facility of the applicant is made, the MOEF issues directions to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to perform the inspection, the CPCB may, in turn, ask the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to conduct the said inspection. After the inspection report is received by the MOEF and everything is found correct in the inspection report, the MOEF issues the NOC for import of used lead-acid batteries.  

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