CPCB Guidelines On Waste Batteries: Key Requirements For Collection, Storage And Transportation

The Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) has issued guidelines under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 (“BWM Rules”) governing the collection, handling, storage and transportation of waste batteries across the country. The guidelines anchor compliance to the hazardous waste regime, prescribe chemistry-specific storage and transport protocols, and restrict who may operate collection centres, thereby seeking to prevent mishandling and illegal operations in the handling of waste batteries. This article examines the key requirements and their compliance implications.

Under the BWM Rules, the CPCB is mandated to develop guidelines for environmentally sound procedures related to the collection, storage, transportation, refurbishment and recycling of waste batteries. The guidelines apply to recyclers, collection centres, refurbishers, producers and entities involved in transportation of waste batteries. Battery types covered include portable, automotive, industrial, and EV