Schedules I explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 rest on lists. Schedules I and II decide whether a waste generated in India is hazardous, Schedule III governs import and export, Schedule IV names commonly recyclable hazardous wastes, Schedule V gives oil specifications, Schedule VI lists what is prohibited for import, Schedule VII lists authorities and duties, and Schedule VIII lists the documents Customs verifies for imports of other wastes.
These Rules are current as amended up to G.S.R. 636(E) dated 16 July 2026 (Chapter VIII on non-ferrous metal scrap in force from 1 April 2026). Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and notifications should be checked. If you need your waste classified against these lists, or an import file checked against Schedules III, VI and VIII, our compliance advisory team can help.
A waste is hazardous if it is in column (3) of Schedule I, is at or above the concentration limits of Schedule II, or is in Part A of Schedule III for import or export (rule 3). Schedule VI wastes are prohibited for import. Schedule VIII documents are verified by Customs for Part D imports. G.S.R. 500(E) of 2023 changed the B1110 entry, and G.S.R. 636(E) of 2026 omitted entry 16.3 "Brine sludge" from Schedule I.
The Schedules at a glance
| Schedule | What it lists | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| I | List of processes generating hazardous wastes, with the wastes from each | Rule 3(1)(17)(i): defining hazardous waste from a process |
| II | List of waste constituents with concentration limits (Class A leachable limits, Class B total limits, Class C characteristics) | Rule 3(1)(17)(ii): hazardous if limits are met or exceeded |
| III | Parts A to D: hazardous wastes for import and export with prior informed consent (A), other wastes (B), characteristics (C), other wastes imported on documents (D) | Rules 3, 12, 13 and 14: import and export |
| IV | List of commonly recyclable hazardous wastes | Rule 6: authorisation |
| V | Specifications of used oil suitable for recycling (Part A) and of fuel derived from waste oil (Part B) | Definitions of used oil and waste oil in rule 3 |
| VI | Hazardous and other wastes prohibited for import | Rules 12 and 14 |
| VII | Authorities and corresponding duties | Rules 13 and 21 |
| VIII | Documents for verification by Customs for import of other wastes in Part D of Schedule III | Rule 13 |
Schedule I: processes and wastes
Schedule I has 38 numbered processes, each with the wastes it generates in column (3): for example petrochemical processes and pyrolytic operations; crude oil and natural gas production; secondary production of lead (with acid from used batteries); metal surface treatment; production of caustic soda and chlorine; production and use of solvents, paints, dyes and pesticides; leather tanneries; the electronic industry; handling of hazardous chemicals; and hazardous waste treatment processes. An asterisk note says that listing does not preclude use of Schedule II to show a waste is not hazardous, with disputes referred to the Technical Review Committee of the Ministry. High volume low effect wastes such as fly ash, phosphogypsum, red mud, jarosite, slags from pyrometallurgical operations, mine tailings and ore beneficiation rejects are excluded from the category of hazardous wastes, with separate CPCB guidelines.
2026 change. G.S.R. 636(E) omitted the entry "16.3 Brine sludge" under serial number 16 (production of caustic soda and chlorine). Entries 16.1 (mercury bearing sludge from the mercury cell process) and 16.2 (residue or sludges and filter cakes) remain.
Schedule II: concentration limits
Class A sets limits on leachable concentration, using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure or Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration, in milligrams per litre for named constituents such as arsenic. Class B sets total concentration limits, and Class C lists hazard characteristics, from explosive and flammable properties to eco-toxic substances and wastes capable of yielding another material, such as leachate, with those characteristics (C13). A waste at or above the limits, or with a Class C characteristic, is hazardous under rule 3. The limit values themselves should be read from the Schedule.
Schedule III: import and export
| Part | Content |
|---|---|
| A | Hazardous wastes applicable for import and export with prior informed consent (Annexure VIII of the Basel Convention); Basel numbers such as A1010 for metal wastes of antimony, cadmium, lead or tellurium |
| B | Wastes that may be imported by actual users with the permission of the Ministry |
| C | Hazard characteristics used in the definition of hazardous waste |
| D | Other wastes that may be imported on documents verified by Customs, listed by Basel number with notes on star-marked conditions |
Imports and exports are explained in rules 11 to 13 and rules 14 and 15.
2023 change. G.S.R. 500(E) of 12 July 2023 substituted the Part D entry for Basel number B1110: used electrical and electronic assemblies imported for repair or refurbishment and re-exported after repair or refurbishment within one year of import, with a proviso that 5% of unrepairable assemblies by weight may be retained in the country and sent only to authorised recyclers under these Rules and the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The matching Schedule VIII documents were revised.
December 2022. The Schedule III list was amended in December 2022 (G.S.R. 900(E)).
Schedules IV to VII
- Schedule IV names 20 commonly recyclable hazardous wastes, from brass dross, copper dross and zinc ash to used lead acid batteries, paint and ink sludge, and used oil and waste oil.
- Schedule V Part A gives parameters for used oil suitable for recycling (for example lead, arsenic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and Part B parameters for fuel derived from waste oil (for example sediment, halogens, sulphur and water content). The numerical limits are printed in the Schedule.
- Schedule VI lists wastes prohibited for import, by Basel number, covering entries such as A1010 for metal wastes of arsenic, beryllium, mercury, selenium and thallium. Imports of some plastic wastes by units in special economic zones and export oriented units were provided for by the early amendments listed in the amendment history.
- Schedule VII lists the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the CPCB, State Governments, State Boards, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and port and Customs authorities, each with duties such as identification, permission for export and import, authorisation, verification of documents and action against illegal traffic.
Schedule VIII: documents for Part D imports
For each Part D waste, Schedule VIII lists the documents Customs verifies. For metals under B1010 these include the movement document in Form 6, the import licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade where applicable, a pre-shipment inspection certificate, valid consents to operate under the Air and Water Acts and authorisation under the Rules for actual users (for traders, one-time authorisation from the State Board), a chemical analysis report where the waste is not covered by an ISRI or equivalent code, and an acknowledged copy of the annual return filed with the State Board for import in the last financial year.
Who is affected
Generators and occupiers classifying waste, actual users, traders and importers reading Schedules III, VI and VIII, recyclers using Schedule IV and Schedule V, and State Boards, Customs and DGFT using Schedules VII and VIII.
Example
Pinnacle Galvanizers Private Limited generates zinc ash from its galvanizing line. It checks Schedule I for the zinc process entries, finds its waste listed under the secondary production and industrial use of zinc, and sees zinc ash and skimmings also on Schedule IV as commonly recyclable. It then sends the waste to an authorised actual user and does not rely on Schedule II to treat the waste as non-hazardous unless it tests the waste against the Schedule II limits.
Need help classifying waste or checking an import file?
Classification and import files depend on exact entries and documents. Our compliance advisory team can help you map your wastes to the Schedules and assemble the document set.
Key takeaways
- Schedules I and II define hazardous waste by process, concentration and characteristics; Schedule III defines it for trade.
- Schedule VI prohibits import; Schedule VIII lists documents for Part D imports.
- Schedule IV lists commonly recyclable hazardous wastes; Schedule V sets oil specifications.
- G.S.R. 500(E) of 2023 changed the B1110 entry in Part D.
- G.S.R. 636(E) of 2026 omitted entry 16.3 "Brine sludge" from Schedule I.
Read next
- Rules 1 to 3: application and definitions
- Rules 11 to 13: import strategy and procedure
- Rules 20 to 24: records, accidents, liability and appeal
- Hazardous waste rules: amendments 2016 to 2026
Disclaimer: Based on the environment rules, guidelines and notifications named above as published in the Gazette of India, read with every amendment notified up to 3 October 2026 that the article names (consolidated reading texts from the CPCB 2021 compilation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board 2025 compilation were checked against the amending notifications), as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines, State Board orders and fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.