core sector communique

Import of Hazardous Wastes

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has notified the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. Import and export of hazardous wastes are regulated as per these rules. Import of such wastes for disposal is not permitted. Import is permitted only for recycling or recovery or reuse with the permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and/or Directorate General of Foreign Trade. This information was disclosed in Lok Sabha today by the Minister of state (I/C) for Environment and Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan. She said Under these Rules, the Ministry during the last three years, has given permission for import of Lead Scrap, Plastic waste generated from industrial process, non-activated glass cullets, etc. by actual users for recycling in an environmentally sound recycling facilities, which are authorised by the State Pollution Control Board/ Pollution Control Committee concerned. The Boards are required to monitor such facilities. The Minister added that for effective implementation of provisions related to import and export, a co-ordination committee has been constituted having representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the Ministry of Shipping, Central Pollution Control Board and select State Pollution Control Boards. This committee has been working to sensitize the Customs authorities regarding enforcement of these Rules in order to check illegal import of hazardous waste into the country.