Indian Compliance
EPR Registration for Battery Waste (BWMR 2022): Targets, Fees & Process for Producers
The Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 (BWMR) made every company that puts batteries on the Indian market responsible for collecting and recycling them. If you make, import or sell batteries, or products with batteries inside, you need battery EPR registration on the CPCB portal before you place them on the market.
This guide explains who is covered, the battery categories, targets, fees and the registration process.
Who Is a Producer Under BWMR?
A producer is anyone who manufactures, sells under its own brand or imports:
- Batteries on their own
- Equipment containing batteries, such as phones, laptops, UPS systems and power tools
- Vehicles containing batteries, including EVs
So an importer of Bluetooth speakers is a battery producer as well as an e-waste producer.
Battery Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Portable | Sealed batteries under 5 kg for general use, such as phone, laptop and power tool batteries, coin and button cells |
| Automotive | Starting, lighting and ignition batteries for vehicles |
| Industrial | Batteries for industrial use, inverters, UPS, solar storage and telecom |
| Electric vehicle | Traction batteries for EVs, including two- and three-wheelers |
Each category has its own targets, so classify each battery correctly.
Targets Under BWMR
- Collection or recycling targets for producers, based on the quantity of batteries placed on the market in earlier years, rising over time.
- Material recovery targets for recyclers. From 2026-27 these are 90% for portable and EV batteries and 60% for automotive and industrial batteries.
- Recycled content in new batteries from 2027-28. For EV batteries the minimum starts at 5% and rises to 20%. Other categories have their own schedules.
Your exact target appears on the CPCB portal once you register and declare your quantities.
Registration Fees
| Producer turnover | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| Below ₹5 crore | ₹10,000 |
| ₹5 crore to ₹50 crore | ₹20,000 |
| Above ₹50 crore | ₹40,000 |
Registration is valid for five years. The bigger cost is EPR certificates, which you buy every year to meet targets. Certificate prices on the portal must stay within a band of 30% to 100% of the environmental compensation rate set by CPCB.
Registration Process on the CPCB Portal
- Create an account on the CPCB battery EPR portal.
- Fill in company details, category of producer and battery categories.
- Declare quantities placed on the market in previous years, by category and chemistry.
- Upload documents (see below) and pay the fee.
- CPCB review and queries, if any.
- Registration certificate issued, with targets shown on the dashboard.
Documents Required
- Company PAN, GST and incorporation certificate
- IEC, for importers
- Authorised person details and authorisation letter
- Battery category, chemistry and quantity data
- BIS registration details where applicable
- EPR action plan for collection and recycling
After Registration: Ongoing Obligations
- Buy EPR certificates from registered recyclers or refurbishers each year
- File returns on the portal by the due dates
- Mark batteries with the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol and other required details
- Keep records for CPCB audits
Penalties
CPCB levies environmental compensation on unmet targets. Registration can be suspended or cancelled for false information or non-compliance, and penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act may apply. See our EPR compliance guide for how the five EPR regimes compare.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting embedded batteries. Batteries inside equipment count.
- Wrong category. An inverter battery is industrial, not portable.
- Not planning recycled content. The 2027-28 requirement needs supply chain planning now.
- Confusing EPR with BIS. BIS covers product safety, while EPR covers end-of-life. Many batteries need both. See our BIS battery guide.
How Instacertify Helps
We register you on the CPCB portal, classify batteries, calculate targets, source certificates and file returns. See our EPR for battery waste service.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs battery EPR registration?
Producers of batteries, which includes manufacturers, importers and brands selling batteries or equipment containing batteries in India. Recyclers and refurbishers also register.
What is the battery EPR registration fee?
It depends on turnover: ₹10,000 for producers with turnover below ₹5 crore, ₹20,000 for ₹5 crore to ₹50 crore, and ₹40,000 above ₹50 crore. Registration is valid for five years.
Do importers of laptops or EVs need battery EPR?
Yes. Batteries inside equipment or vehicles placed on the Indian market count towards the producer’s obligation, so importers of such products must register.
What are battery EPR certificates?
Certificates generated on the CPCB portal by registered recyclers and refurbishers for batteries they process. Producers buy them to meet their targets.
What happens if a producer misses its battery EPR target?
CPCB levies environmental compensation on the shortfall. Registration can also be suspended or cancelled, and penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act may apply.
Is recycled content mandatory in new batteries?
Yes, from 2027-28. Producers must use a minimum share of domestically recycled materials in new batteries, rising over time. For EV batteries it starts at 5% and rises to 20%.