Rules 13 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.
Rules 13 to 15 are the working engine of e-waste EPR. Rule 13 makes producers responsible for the recycling targets in Schedules III and IV, rule 14 explains how registered recyclers and refurbishers earn certificates, and rule 15 governs how producers buy them, including the platform and price band added by G.S.R. 164(E) in March 2024.
These Rules are current as amended up to the E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2024 (G.S.R. 699(E), 12 November 2024). Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and notifications should be checked. If you are a producer planning your certificate purchases, or a recycler issuing them, our compliance documentation team can help you build the record trail.
Every producer must meet the recycling target of Schedule III (or Schedule IV for recent entrants) by buying EPR certificates online from registered recyclers only, and the responsibility lies entirely on the producer (rule 13). A certificate is valid for two years from the end of the financial year of generation (rule 14). Prices on the portal must lie between thirty and hundred per cent of the compensation for non-fulfilment under rule 22 (rule 15(9) and (10)).
Rule 13: modalities of EPR
- Producer's duty (13(1)). All producers shall fulfil EPR as per Schedules III and IV, and may take help of third-party organisations such as producer responsibility organisations, collection centres and dealers. The proviso says EPR "shall lie entirely on the producer only".
- How the target is fixed (13(2)). EPR for each product is decided on the information given by the producer on the portal, the product's life period laid down by the CPCB, and the targets in Schedules III and IV.
- How it is met (13(3)). The producer fulfils EPR through online purchase of EPR certificates from registered recyclers only, and submits it by filing the quarterly return. Details given by producer and recycler are cross-checked on the portal and, where they differ, the lower figure counts. Certificates are subject to environmental audit by the CPCB or an authorised agency.
Schedule III: the recycling target
The target is a percentage by weight of the quantity of equipment placed in the market in year Y-X, where X is the average life of that product:
| Year | Target |
|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 60% |
| 2024-2025 | 60% |
| 2025-2026 | 70% |
| 2026-2027 | 70% |
| 2027-2028 | 80% |
| 2028-2029 onwards | 80% |
The notes say the target shall be reviewed and may be increased after the end of 2028-2029; importers of used equipment have a hundred per cent EPR obligation for the imported material after end of life, if not re-exported; and the targets do not apply to waste from solar PV modules.
Schedule IV: producers who started selling recently
For producers whose years of sales operations are fewer than the average life of their products, the target is:
| Year | Target |
|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 15% of the sales figure of financial year 2021-22 |
| 2024-2025 | 20% of the sales figure of financial year 2022-23 |
| 2025-2026 onwards | 20% of the sales figure of the financial year two years back |
Once the years of sales operation equal the average life of the product, the obligation is as per Schedule III.
Rule 14: generation of certificates
Recycling certificates (14(1))
The CPCB generates an EPR certificate on the portal in favour of a registered recycler in the format it lays down. The quantity eligible is QEPR = Qp x Cf, where Qp is the quantity of the end product and Cf the conversion factor (quantity of inputs required to produce one unit of output), determined by the CPCB with the Steering Committee's approval. Where there are multiple end products, the factor follows CPCB guidelines with Steering Committee approval (clause (c), inserted in 2023). A certificate is valid for two years from the end of the financial year of generation; an expired certificate is automatically extinguished. Each certificate carries a unique number with the year of generation, code of end product, recycler code and a unique code, in denominations of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kg or others laid down by the CPCB with the Steering Committee's approval.
Refurbishing certificates (14(2))
A refurbisher registered on the portal can have a refurbishing certificate generated. On production of those certificates the producer's EPR is deferred by the duration the CPCB lays down, and added back when the extended life ends. To incentivise refurbishing, only 75 per cent of the deferred quantity is added back. The rule's own example: a producer with an obligation of 100 tonnes in 2023-2024 buys recycling certificates of 60 tonnes and refurbishing certificates of 40 tonnes, and the item's extended life is five years; 60 tonnes are achieved in 2023-2024 and 75 per cent of the remaining 40 tonnes, that is 30 tonnes, is added for 2028-2029. The obligation is extinguished only after end of life disposal through a registered recycler and an EPR certificate, not by a refurbishing certificate.
Rule 15: buying and trading certificates
| Sub-rule | Content |
|---|---|
| 15(1) | A producer may buy certificates up to its liability for the current year plus any leftover liability of earlier years plus 5 per cent of the current year liability |
| 15(2) | Obligation is fulfilled by buying proportionately on a quarterly basis |
| 15(3) | A purchased certificate is automatically adjusted against liability, earlier liability first, and extinguished |
| 15(4) | Buying refurbishing certificates defers the liability automatically |
| 15(5) and (6) | Availability and requirement are shown on the portal; transactions are recorded when quarterly returns are filed |
| 15(7) and (8) | The Central Government may by order establish one or more platforms for exchange of certificates under CPCB guidelines approved by it, operated under guidelines it makes on the CPCB's recommendation |
| 15(9) and (10) | The CPCB fixes the highest and lowest price at hundred per cent and thirty per cent of the environmental compensation for non-fulfilment of EPR under rule 22; the exchange price on the portal must lie between them |
Sub-rules (7) to (10) were inserted by G.S.R. 164(E) of 8 March 2024. The rules give the proportions only; the compensation amount itself comes from CPCB guidelines under rule 22 and is not restated here.
Who is affected
Producers of Schedule I equipment, including importers and brand owners; recyclers who generate certificates; refurbishers; and any platform operator the Central Government authorises. New entrants should check Schedule IV before assuming the Schedule III percentages apply.
Example
Zephyr Electronics Private Limited, a producer with several years of sales, has a target worked from Schedule III using product life periods the CPCB has set. It buys certificates each quarter in proportion to its liability, up to the limit of its current liability, leftover liability and 5 per cent (rule 15(1) and (2)). It checks that the portal's cross-check matches its own figures, since the lower figure counts, and it holds only unexpired certificates, which are valid for two years from the end of the financial year of generation.
Need help with e-waste EPR planning?
Targets, product life periods, quarterly purchases and certificate expiry have to be tracked together. Our compliance documentation team can help you build a target tracker and keep portal records ready for audit.
Key takeaways
- EPR lies entirely on the producer even when it uses a producer responsibility organisation or dealer.
- Schedule III runs from 60 per cent in 2023-24 to 80 per cent from 2027-28; Schedule IV has 15 and 20 per cent of past sales for recent entrants.
- Certificates are bought online from registered recyclers only and last two years from the end of the financial year of generation.
- Refurbishing defers a target, with 75 per cent of the deferred quantity added back.
- The price band is between thirty and hundred per cent of the rule 22 compensation.
Read next
- Rules 16 to 25: hazardous substances, compensation, penalty and audit
- Rules 6 to 8: producer duties
- E-Waste and Battery Waste Rules: amendments 2023 to 2025
- Section 6 of the EP Act: rules to regulate environmental pollution
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.