Unit: 6 

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1989, 2002, 2016 and amendments

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules were first introduced in India in 1989, and have been amended several times since then to update and strengthen regulations for the management and handling of hazardous waste in the country. The key amendments to these rules include:

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules 2002: These amendments introduced new regulations for the management and handling of hazardous waste, including specific requirements for storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. They also established the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as the central authority for the implementation and enforcement of these rules.

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules 2016: These amendments updated the regulations to align with the latest international standards and best practices for hazardous waste management. They also introduced new categories of hazardous waste, such as electronic waste and plastic waste, and established new requirements for the treatment and disposal of these types of waste.

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules 2017: These amendments introduced new regulations for the management and handling of biomedical waste, which includes waste generated in healthcare facilities, research institutions and laboratories, and veterinary institutions.

The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules aim to ensure that hazardous waste is managed and handled in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to prevent the negative impact of hazardous waste on human health and the environment. The rules require generators of hazardous waste to register with the CPCB, maintain records of the waste generated, and transport and dispose of the waste in accordance with the regulations. The rules also require the CPCB to establish and maintain a National Hazardous Waste Information System to keep track of the generation, movement and disposal of hazardous waste. 

The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1998, 2016 and amendments 

The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules were first introduced in India in 1998 and were later amended several times to update and strengthen regulations for the management and handling of biomedical waste in the country. 

The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016: These rules were an amendment to the previous rules of 1998. The 2016 amendment introduced new regulations for the management and handling of biomedical waste, including specific requirements for the segregation, storage, transportation, and disposal of biomedical waste. It also established the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) as the central and state authorities for the implementation and enforcement of these rules.

The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules, 2018: These amendment rules introduced new regulations for the management and handling of "e-waste" generated from healthcare facilities and the requirements for the treatment and disposal of these types of waste.

The Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules aim to ensure that biomedical waste is managed and handled in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and to prevent the negative impact of biomedical waste on human health and the environment.

The rules require generators of biomedical waste to register with the CPCB, maintain records of the waste generated, and transport and dispose of the waste in accordance with the regulations. The rules also require the CPCB and SPCBs to establish and maintain a biomedical waste information system to keep track of the generation, movement and disposal of biomedical waste. The rules also specify the color coding, packaging, labeling and treatment methods for different types of biomedical waste. 


Coastal Regulation Zone Rules and amendments : 

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules are a set of regulations in India that are designed to protect the coastal areas and their ecosystems from development and other activities that could harm the environment. The CRZ Rules were first introduced in 1991, and have been amended several times since then to update and strengthen the regulations.

The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011: This amendment introduced new regulations that divided the coastal areas into four different zones (CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III, and CRZ-IV) with different levels of regulatory restrictions on development and other activities. It also introduced new regulations for the management of wetlands, mangroves, and other ecologically sensitive areas.

The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2018: This amendment introduced changes to the regulations for the development of coastal areas, including the permissions required for different types of activities. It also introduced new regulations for the protection of coastal biodiversity, fisheries, and other coastal communities.

The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019: This amendment introduced changes to the CRZ-I and CRZ-IV classification of the coastal areas, allowing for the construction of certain types of infrastructure and other activities in these areas. It also introduced new regulations for the regulation of tourism, water sports, and other activities in the coastal areas.

The CRZ Rules aim to protect the coastal areas and their ecosystems by regulating development and other activities in these areas. The rules also aim to promote sustainable development in the coastal areas and to balance the economic, social, and environmental needs of the coastal communities. The rules specify the activities that are prohibited, regulated, or allowed in the different CRZ zones, and also specify the permissions and clearances required for different types of activities.

E-waste Management Rules 2016 :

The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, are a set of regulations in India that are designed to manage the disposal and recycling of electronic waste, also known as e-waste. The rules were introduced under the provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and are intended to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of e-waste.

The E-waste Management Rules 2016 lays down the responsibilities of the manufacturers, importers, and producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to collect and channelize the e-waste generated from their equipment. The rules also require the collection centers, dismantling and recycling facilities, and e-waste transporters to be registered with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and comply with the regulations for handling e-waste.

The rules also require the manufacturers, producers, and importers of EEE to take back their end-of-life equipment and channelize them for safe disposal. The rules also introduced the concept of "Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR) which makes the manufacturers responsible for the safe disposal of their products.

The rules also stipulate the setting up of a State Level Monitoring Committee and a National E-waste Management Authority to oversee the implementation of the rules, and to monitor and regulate the collection, handling, and disposal of e-waste.

The E-waste Management Rules 2016 aims to promote the environmentally sound management of e-waste by ensuring that e-waste is collected, handled, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. The rules also aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of e-waste by promoting the recycling and recovery of valuable materials from e-waste and reducing the amount of e-waste that is landfilled or incinerated.

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 : 

The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, are a set of regulations in India that are designed to manage the disposal and recycling of plastic waste. The rules were introduced under the provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and are intended to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of plastic waste.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 lays down the responsibilities of the manufacturers, importers, and producers of plastic products to collect and channelize the plastic waste generated from their products. The rules also require the collection centers, processing and recycling facilities, and waste transporters to be registered with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and comply with the regulations for handling plastic waste.

The rules also require the manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic products to take back their end-of-life products and channelize them for safe disposal. The rules also introduced the concept of "Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR) which makes the manufacturers responsible for the safe disposal of their products.

The rules also stipulate the setting up of a State Level Monitoring Committee and a National Plastic Waste Management Authority to oversee the implementation of the rules, and to monitor and regulate the collection, handling, and disposal of plastic waste.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 aims to promote the environmentally sound management of plastic waste by ensuring that plastic waste is collected, handled, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. The rules also aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste by promoting the recycling and recovery of valuable materials from plastic waste and reducing the amount of plastic waste that is landfilled or incinerated. 

Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules 2016


The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules 2016, are a set of regulations in India that are designed to manage the collection, transportation, and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). The rules were introduced under the provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and are intended to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of MSW.

The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules 2016 lays down the responsibilities of the local bodies, such as municipalities and panchayats, to collect, transport, and dispose of the MSW generated in their jurisdiction in an environmentally sound and scientifically manner. The rules also require the setting up of a waste segregation at source, door-to-door collection, and a system of collection centers, transfer stations, and processing and disposal facilities.

The rules also require the local bodies to set up a system of waste collection, transportation, and disposal that is based on the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste. The rules also require the local bodies to establish a system of user charges for waste collection and disposal services and to promote public participation in the management of MSW.

The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules 2016 aim to promote the environmentally sound management of MSW by ensuring that MSW is collected, transported, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. The rules also aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of MSW by promoting the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste and reducing the amount of MSW that is landfilled or incinerated. 

Noise Pollution (regulation and control) Rules 2000, 2017 and Amendments 

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, are a set of regulations in India that are designed to control and regulate noise pollution. The rules were introduced under the provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and are intended to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of noise pollution.

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 lays down the standards for permissible noise levels in different zones, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and silence zones, and also the time limits for the permissible noise levels. The rules also require the State Governments to appoint the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and the local bodies as the enforcement agencies for enforcing the rules.

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2017, were an amendment to the previous rules of 2000. The 2017 amendment introduced new regulations for the measurement of noise levels, including the use of sound-level meters and other equipment. It also introduced new regulations for the control of noise from construction activities, road traffic, and other sources of noise pollution.

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules aim to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of noise pollution by regulating and controlling the noise levels in different zones. The rules also aim to promote the reduction of noise pollution by setting standards for permissible noise levels and by promoting the use of quieter equipment and technologies. The rules also specify the penalties for non-compliance of the rules. 

Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016 : 

The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016, are a set of regulations in India that are designed to manage the collection, transportation, and disposal of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste). The rules were introduced under the provisions of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and are intended to protect human health and the environment from the negative impacts of C&D waste.

The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016 lays down the responsibilities of the generators of C&D waste, such as builders, contractors, and developers, to handle and dispose of the C&D waste generated during construction and demolition activities in an environmentally sound and scientifically manner. The rules also require the setting up of a system of collection, transportation, and disposal of C&D waste, including the use of recycling and reuse of C&D waste.

The rules also require the local bodies, such as municipalities and panchayats, to set up a system of collection, transportation, and disposal of C&D waste, and to establish a system of user charges for the collection and disposal of C&D waste. The rules also require the local bodies to promote public participation in the management of C&D waste.

The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016 aim to promote the environmentally sound management of C&D waste by ensuring that C&D waste is collected, transported, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. The rules also aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of C&D waste by promoting the recycling and reuse of C&D waste and reducing the amount of C&D waste that is landfilled or incinerated.