India introduced the “Battery Management and Handling Rules” in 2001 to promote a formal organized collection of Used Lead Acid Batteries so that they can be reprocessed / recycled in an eco-friendly, safe, and hygienic manner. An amendment was introduced in 2010 for the Registration of Battery Dealers / Traders in different states of India with the local regulatory bodies to maximize formal collection and recycling rates.
After the introduction of the Electric Vehicle Mission in India, Lithium-ion Batteries have been imported and used in 2Ws, 3Ws, Cars and Buses with the volume of Lithium-ion batteries has been increasing slowly year on year. Accordingly, Government of India through the Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change, felt the need for one comprehensive set of rules for all battery chemistries to promote and to ensure effective green recycling. The concern led to the introduction of the “Battery Waste Management Rules” in August 2022 superseding the Battery (Management & Handling) Rules and imposing an Extended Produced Responsibility (EPR) on the Battery manufacturers and all other stakeholders to ensure that all used batteries are recovered and recycling in a safe, hygienic, and environmentally sound manner. The various responsibilities and provisions of BWMR 2022 will be highlighted during the presentation.
Presenters
L Pugazhenthy, well known as “Mr Pug”, a Past National President of The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) is also the Executive Director of India Lead Zinc Development Association, a 60 year old non–profit, non-commercial body that disseminates technical information on Lead & Zinc as well as their downstream markets. He is a Metallurgical Engr by profession followed by Post Graduation in Business Management as well as Marketing & Sales Management with more than 45 years’ experience in Lead & Zinc market development, technical advisory services etc. Mr Pug was the Chairman of a Sectional Committee in the Bureau of Indian Standards; he has drafted rules for collection & green recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries for the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India.
Mr Pugazhenthy received the prestigious International Lead Medal, at the Asian Battery Conference in Macau, China in 2009, for his significant contributions to the Lead Industry. Mr Pugazhenthy was also awarded the Hindustan Zinc Ltd Gold Medal in 2002 and Platinum Medal in 2014, both by The Indian Institute of Metals for his contributions to the Indian metallurgical industry. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from National Institute of Technology Trichy, in 2014.
