The Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025 aim to establish a comprehensive system for managing vehicles at the end of their operational life. These regulations are part of the government’s broader initiative to promote environmentally responsible recycling and disposal practices in the automotive industry while encouraging sustainability. The rules, which are to be enforced under the Environmental Protection Act of 1986, will come into effect on April 1, 2025.

The new rules apply to a range of stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, owners, bulk consumers (entities owning more than 100 vehicles), registered vehicle scrapping facilities (RVSFs), collection centers, and automated testing centers (ATCs). However, vehicles already governed by specific waste management rules, such as the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, or the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, are excluded from these provisions.

A central feature of these regulations is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which places significant obligations on vehicle manufacturers. Producers must ensure the safe collection and recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) by meeting annual recycling targets. They are required to purchase EPR certificates from authorized scrapping facilities to demonstrate compliance. Producers must also run awareness campaigns for consumers, promote vehicle take-back initiatives, and register their activities on a centralized portal.

Both registered owners and bulk consumers have specific duties under the new rules. Owners are required to dispose of their vehicles through registered scrapping facilities within 180 days after the vehicle’s operational life ends. Bulk consumers, such as transportation companies, must register on the centralized portal and submit annual reports on their vehicle disposal activities.

Collection centers play a pivotal role in managing ELVs by collecting, storing, and transferring them to RVSFs. These centers are responsible for ensuring the environmentally sound handling of vehicles and maintaining detailed activity records. Automated testing centers are responsible for conducting mandatory fitness tests on vehicles. Vehicles that fail the tests must be directed to scrapping facilities, and the test data must be uploaded to the centralized portal.

At the heart of this initiative are Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs), which are responsible for dismantling and recycling ELVs. These facilities must safely manage hazardous materials, recover recyclable components like steel, and issue EPR certificates for recycled materials. RVSFs are also required to report their activities quarterly to state pollution control boards.

EPR certificates, crucial for producers to meet their recycling targets, are issued by RVSFs based on the materials they recover from scrapped vehicles. These certificates are valid for five years and must be purchased by producers to fulfill their obligations. The centralized portal will track, report, and facilitate the trading of these certificates.

The rules also address the registration of stakeholders and outline penalties for non-compliance. Producers, bulk consumers, and RVSFs must register with the Central or State Pollution Control Boards. Failure to comply may lead to suspension or cancellation of registration, with the right to appeal decisions within 45 days.

To support the effective implementation of these rules, the government has defined specific roles for both central and state authorities. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will oversee the development and maintenance of the centralized portal, monitor compliance, and conduct audits. State governments are responsible for ensuring the availability of adequate scrapping and testing facilities and for raising public awareness. State Pollution Control Boards will handle registration processes and monitor compliance.

The rules also introduce environmental compensation measures. Entities that fail to meet their obligations could face monetary penalties, which will be directed toward environmental restoration projects, such as enhancing recycling infrastructure and addressing pollution from improper vehicle disposal.

A centralized online portal will be the backbone of the entire framework, managing registrations, tracking ELVs, and facilitating the issuance of EPR certificates. This platform will ensure transparency and provide real-time data on the disposal and recycling of ELVs.

To oversee the rules’ implementation, the government will set up an Implementation Committee, chaired by the CPCB. The committee will include representatives from state boards, vehicle manufacturers, recyclers, and other key stakeholders. It will monitor progress, provide guidance, and submit regular reports to the central government.

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