Delhi HC asks CFL manufacturers to comply with e-waste rules

Declining a plea by manufacturers of compact fluorescent lamps/lights (CFL) for the postponement of enforcement of e-waste management rules, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed such companies to comply with the same.

The petitioner-manufacturers contended that the rules mandating them to "collect, treat and dispose of fluorescent and other mercury containing lamps when they are intended to be discarded by the user is impossible to perform". The rules will come into force from October 1

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, hearing a plea by these companies for postponement of the implementation of the rules, said: "Fluorescent and other mercury containing bulbs form a part of electrical equipment, the disposal of which without processing in an environmentally sound manner would affect human health and environment."

The bench said it is the social responsibility of the petitioners -- CFL producers such as Philips Lighting, Havells, Surya and Electric Lamp and Component Manufacturers' Association -- to find a feasible solution for the disposal of e-waste without affecting human health and environment.

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain told the court that manufacturers have to file an application with authorities for 'Extended Producer Responsibility - Authorisation' within 90 days from the date of coming into force of the rules.

It will then be cleared by the Central Pollution Control Board within 120 days.

Jain said there is no likelihood of prosecuting the manufacturers immediately after the enforcement of the rules.

The court, following the submission made by the ASG, directed the manufacturers to apply for the 'Extended Producer Responsibility - Authorisation' and posted their main petition challenging the new e-waste rules for further hearing on December 8.

--IANS

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