India applies Extended Producer Responsibility to used oil recycling

India introduced Extended Producer Responsibility for used oil under the Hazardous and Other Wastes Second Amendment Rules, 2023, effective April 1, 2024. Manufacturers and importers of base and lubrication oil must now meet recycling targets via EPR certificates, formalising the used-oil sector.

India's Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Second Amendment Rules, 2023 introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for used oil, effective April 1, 2024. The regulations obligate manufacturers and importers of base oil and lubrication oil to meet recycling targets by purchasing EPR certificates from registered recyclers. The Central Pollution Control Board, or an agency it appoints, oversees implementation and monitors compliance through a dedicated online portal, transforming the linear used-oil system toward a circular economy with organized, environmentally sound management across the country.

Producers, importers, collection agents, and recyclers handling used oil are directly affected and must register on the CPCB's EPR portal, file quarterly and annual returns, and detail their used-oil management activities. The portal facilitates EPR certificate generation and transfer for transparency and traceability. February 2025 guidelines categorize collection agents into Level-1 and Level-2 based on operational scale, specifying infrastructure and procedures for safe collection, handling, transportation, and storage, including designated storage spaces, spill containment systems, and proper container labeling.

Obligated entities should complete registration on the CPCB EPR portal and prepare to file quarterly and annual returns documenting used-oil management. Manufacturers and importers should secure EPR certificates from registered recyclers to meet recycling targets, while collection agents must align infrastructure with the February 2025 guidelines for their Level-1 or Level-2 classification. Stakeholders should monitor CPCB guidance on certificate generation and verification, ensuring spill containment, designated storage, and labeling requirements are met for compliant participation in the formalised recycling system.

Key figure — Effective date: April 1, 2024 for used-oil Extended Producer Responsibility obligations