**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy regarding the import of hazardous waste, as outlined in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4095 on August 18, 2025. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regulates hazardous waste import through the Hazardous and Other Wastes Management and Transboundary Movement Rules, 2016, enacted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The policy permits the import of specific hazardous wastes listed in Part A of Schedule III for recycling, recovery, reuse, utilization, and co-processing, but strictly prohibits imports for disposal. Importers must be actual users with due permission from the MoEFCC and a Directorate General of Foreign Trade license, where applicable.
According to the National Inventory on Generation and Management of Hazardous and Other Wastes for Financial Year 2023-24, compiled by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), approximately 3.78 lakh metric tons of hazardous waste were imported by entities in 12 states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), as defined under Schedule VII of the Rules, are responsible for granting and renewing authorizations, monitoring compliance, and taking action against violations. The policy considers import of hazardous waste without MoEFCC permission as illegal. Ports and Customs Authorities are responsible for acting against importers or exporters violating the Indian Ports Act, 1908, or the Customs Act, 1962.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
Hazardous and Other Wastes Management and Transboundary Movement Rules, 2016: The set of rules notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to manage hazardous waste in India.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: The Indian legislation providing a framework for environmental protection.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: The agency responsible for implementing the foreign trade policy of India.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): A statutory organisation responsible for pollution control in India.
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs): State-level agencies responsible for implementing pollution control laws.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the states in India where hazardous waste was imported.
Customs Act, 1962: The Indian legislation governing customs duties and procedures.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4095
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
Import of Hazardous Waste
4095. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that some traders are freely engaged in importing
restricted/ banned hazardous wastes without valid permission;
(b) if so, the list of importers of chemical wastes registered with the Government; and
(c) the number of complaints received and action taken against such erring importers
during the last three years and the current year?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the
Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 under
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to ensure safe storage, treatment and disposal of
hazardous and other wastes in an environmentally sound manner.
The said Rules also allow import of the hazardous wastes listed in Part A of Schedule III
for recycling, recovery, reuse and utilization including co-processing. Import of hazardous
wastes is not permitted for disposal in the country. The import of hazardous wastes listed in
Part A of Schedule III of the said Rules is allowed only to actual users with due permission
from the MoEF&CC and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade license, as applicable.
As per the National Inventory on Generation and Management of Hazardous and Other
Wastes for Financial Year 2023-24 prepared by CPCB, based on the annual inventory
submitted by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs), about 3.78 lakhs Metric Ton of hazardous wastes was imported by entities located in
12 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Under Schedule VII of the said Rules, the concerned SPCBs/PCCs are entrusted with the
duties of grant and renewal of Authorization, monitoring of compliance of various provisions
of these rules and for taking action against the violation of these rules amongst other
responsibilities. Import of hazardous waste without permission of the MoEF&CC in
accordance with the said Rules, is treated as illegal, and under the Schedule VII of the said
Rules, Ports and Customs Authority are entrusted with the responsibility of taking action
against importer or exporter for violations under the Indian Ports Act, 1908 or Customs Act,
1962.
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