Sri Vijaya Puram, May 4 : It is brought to the notice of all concerned that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India has notified the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 for ensuring safe and scientific management of hazardous and other wastes.
Under these Rules, it is the responsibility of every waste generator, handler, collector, receiver, processor, and transporter to ensure proper storage, reuse, recycling, recovery, pre-processing, utilisation (including co-processing), and disposal of hazardous waste. All such entities are required to obtain authorization under the said Rules and, wherever applicable, obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the relevant provisions of the Water and Air Acts. In this regard, all hazardous waste generating units, as well as units engaged in the aforesaid activities within the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, are required to obtain necessary authorization from the Andaman & Nicobar Pollution Control Committee (ANPCC) through the online OCMMS portal (www.anocmms.nic.in).
Hazardous waste generators shall apply for consent in accordance with the industrial classification notified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The revised categorisation of industries may be accessed at: https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=TGF0ZXN0RmlsZS9fMTczNzYxMzk2OV9tZWRpYXBob3RvMTEzODMucGRm. Further, all hazardous waste generators in the Islands are hereby directed to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of only through authorized recyclers possessing valid Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification issued by MoEF&CC, Government of India. Such disposal shall strictly comply with the prescribed manifest system for transportation, particularly for inter-State movement of waste, and shall be undertaken only after obtaining prior No Objection Certificate (NOC) from ANPCC.
Non-compliance with the above directions shall attract stringent action, including withdrawal or cancellation of consent/authorization, closure of operations, and imposition of environmental compensation and penalties under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and applicable Rules.
This notice is issued for the information and awareness of the general public, hazardous waste generators, and all other stakeholders in the Union Territory to ensure proper management of hazardous waste in accordance with the said Rules.
ANPCC urges all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the prescribed hazardous waste management practices, noting that improper handling can result in soil contamination, air pollution, and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Collective compliance and community vigilance are essential for effective and sustainable hazardous waste management and for safeguarding the fragile and ecologically sensitive environment of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
