EPR Registration for Batteries (BWM Rules 2022)
Every producer that manufactures, sells under its own brand or imports batteries, or equipment with batteries inside, must register on the CPCB battery EPR portal under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. Registration is valid for five years, and the annual return is due by 30 June. We handle the application, the documents and the yearly filings.
What it is
Battery EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) makes the company that puts a battery on the market responsible for it at the end of its life. You meet a yearly target by ensuring that waste batteries are recycled or refurbished by registered recyclers and refurbishers, and you show this with EPR certificates. Waste batteries must not be sent to landfill or incinerated.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 in August 2022, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They replaced the old Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) runs registration, targets, certificates and returns on a centralised portal, eprbattery.cpcb.gov.in.
Who it applies to
Brand owners and manufacturers
A producer is anyone who manufactures and sells batteries under its own brand, or sells under its own brand batteries made by someone else. Battery manufacturers register too.
Importers
Importing batteries, or equipment that contains batteries, makes you a producer. Even an importer bringing in batteries for its own use must register and file an annual return. Your Import Export Code is one of the first documents the portal asks for.
Recyclers and refurbishers
Units that recycle or refurbish waste batteries register on the same portal. Consumers who only use batteries do not file returns.
Which batteries are covered
The rules cover all batteries, regardless of chemistry, shape, volume, weight, material or use. That includes lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium and zinc-based cells. For targets, batteries fall into four categories:
| Category | Typical examples |
|---|---|
| Portable | Cells and packs in phones, laptops, power banks, toys and remotes |
| Automotive | Starter, lighting and ignition batteries in cars, bikes and tractors |
| Industrial | Inverter, UPS, telecom tower and solar storage batteries |
| Electric vehicle | Traction batteries in e-rickshaws, two-wheelers, cars and buses |
Here is the catch. Each category carries its own target. Picture a Faridabad assembler that sells inverter batteries to local dealers and also supplies packs for e-rickshaws. It will see two separate obligations on the portal, one industrial and one EV, and must cover both.
Why it matters
Registration comes first
Every producer has to register with CPCB. Distributors, marketplaces and government buyers often ask for the registration number.
Recycled content is coming
The rules require a minimum use of domestically recycled material in new batteries. For some categories it starts at 5% in 2027-28 and rises to 20% from 2030-31.
Shortfalls cost money
CPCB levies environmental compensation when returns are not filed or targets are not met, and the dues show up against your account on the portal.
Documents required
Company records
- Certificate of incorporation or CIN document
- PAN of the business
- GST registration certificate
- DIC or Udyam registration, if you have one
Trade and plant records
- Import Export Code, for importers
- Consent under the Air and Water Acts and hazardous waste authorisation, for manufacturing units (in Haryana, the HSPCB consent)
Battery data
- Battery types, chemistry and category
- Quantities placed on the market, by weight, year by year
- Authorised person’s details and authorisation
How it works
Classify every battery you sell
We sort your batteries into portable, automotive, industrial and EV, including the ones sitting inside products you import. A Delhi trader importing cordless drills, for instance, has portable batteries to report even though it never sells a battery on its own.
Prepare the sales and import data
We pull quantities and weights from your purchase, sales and import records. In practice, invoices list units, not kilograms, so we work out weights from datasheets before anything goes on the portal.
Apply on the CPCB battery portal
We fill the application, upload documents and pay the fee. CPCB’s SOP says the application is processed within 15 working days.
Meet the target with EPR certificates
We coordinate with CPCB-registered recyclers and refurbishers for certificates. The recycling itself is done by them, not by us.
File returns and renew on time
We file the quarterly returns and the annual return. Five years pass quickly, so we also diarise your renewal.
Timelines
Quarterly return within 30 days
Quarterly returns are due within 30 days after the end of each quarter.
Annual return by 30 June
The annual return for the previous financial year is filed by 30 June.
Renew every five years
Registration is valid for five years from the date of grant, and renewal is also for five years at the same fee.
What happens if you skip battery EPR
Environmental compensation
CPCB levies environmental compensation for returns not filed and for non-conformities found in returns or audits.
Penalty under the EP Act
Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 allows a penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh, plus ₹10,000 for every day the contravention continues.
Lost buyers
Without a registration number, distributors, OEM customers and tenders may refuse to deal with you.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs battery EPR registration?
Every producer, battery manufacturer, recycler and refurbisher must register with CPCB under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. A producer includes a brand owner selling under its own name, whether it makes the batteries or buys them from another manufacturer, and anyone importing batteries or equipment containing them. If you are unsure whether you qualify, we review your product and import list first.
Do I need battery EPR if I import products that contain batteries?
Yes. The definition of producer covers the import of batteries and of equipment containing batteries. So an importer of laptops, phones, power tools or e-bikes has a battery obligation for the batteries inside, in addition to any e-waste EPR for the equipment. Keep your Import Export Code and bills of entry handy. With the data organised, registration is quick.
What is the government fee for battery EPR registration?
The CPCB SOP sets the fee by annual turnover: ₹10,000 below ₹5 crore, ₹20,000 for ₹5 crore to ₹50 crore, and ₹40,000 above ₹50 crore. Renewal after five years costs the same as fresh registration. EPR certificates bought from recyclers are a separate cost. A small trader with turnover below ₹5 crore pays the lowest slab.
How long is battery EPR registration valid?
Registration is valid for five years from the date of grant. Renewal is also for five years, at the same fee as a fresh registration. In the meantime you must file quarterly returns within 30 days of each quarter and an annual return by 30 June. We set reminders well before the renewal date, so your registration does not lapse.
How long does CPCB take to process the application?
CPCB’s SOP says a registration application is processed within 15 working days, and is either granted or rejected in that period. Mismatched documents or unclear battery categories are common reasons for queries. We check the GST, PAN and CIN details and the category mapping before filing, which keeps the review smooth.
When are battery EPR returns due?
Quarterly returns are due within 30 days after each quarter ends, and the annual return by 30 June for the previous financial year. The returns report batteries placed on the market and certificates used against the target. Returns not filed attract environmental compensation on the portal. With a filing calendar in place, the dates are easy to keep.
What are the recovery targets for battery recyclers?
Recyclers must recover a minimum share of materials from waste batteries: 70% in 2024-25, 80% in 2025-26 and 90% from 2026-27 onwards. These targets bind the recycler, not the producer. Still, they matter to you, because your EPR certificates come from recyclers who meet them. We help you work with registered recyclers on the CPCB portal.
Can waste batteries be sent to a landfill?
No. The rules prohibit disposing of waste batteries in landfills or by incineration. They must go to registered recyclers or refurbishers, and the recycling is recorded through EPR certificates on the CPCB portal. A trader holding old stock or returns should hand it to a registered recycler and keep the paperwork. Keep that record; it protects you at audit time.
What is the penalty for not registering?
CPCB can levy environmental compensation, and Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 allows a penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh, with ₹10,000 more for each day the default continues. Buyers may also stop dealing with an unregistered producer. Registering late still beats not registering, so apply as soon as you spot the gap.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
The CPCB SOP for the battery EPR portal sets the registration fee by annual turnover:
| Annual turnover | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| Below ₹5 crore | ₹10,000 |
| ₹5 crore to ₹50 crore | ₹20,000 |
| Above ₹50 crore | ₹40,000 |
Renewal after five years is charged at the same rate. EPR certificates are bought separately from registered recyclers and refurbishers.
Ready to begin?
Tell us which batteries you make, sell or import, and we will map your categories and file your CPCB battery EPR registration.