Hazardous Waste Export Authorisation
Authorisation process and compliance requirements for exporting hazardous waste from India under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules and related laws.
10+ Years of Experience
400+ In-House CAs, CS & Lawyers
99% SLA Delivery
10,000+ Pin codes Network in India
100000+
Happy Customers
3500+
Expert Advisors
50+
Branch Offices
Free Consultation by Expert
Rated 4.9 by 42,817+ Customers
Talk to an Expert
Get personalized guidance from our industry specialists
Enquiry Form
Among Asia Top 100 Consulting Firm
Get Consultation
Lowest Fees 100,000+ Clients
Service Delivery
4.9 Rating | 50+ Offices
Overview of Hazardous Waste Export Authorisation
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the designated authority for managing the transboundary movement of hazardous waste in India and is responsible for granting approvals for export. Only wastes listed in Schedule III (Parts A & B) and Schedule VI of the Hazardous Waste Management Rules may be exported, and certain exports—particularly those listed under Part A of Schedule III and Schedule VI—require Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from the importing country. India prohibits import of hazardous waste for disposal; export is permitted only where the destination country has facilities for environmentally sound management and only to actual users or authorised disposal operators.
Scope & Key Principles
Export authorisation ensures that hazardous wastes leaving India are handled, transported and managed in a manner that protects human health and the environment and complies with domestic rules and international frameworks (e.g., the Basel Convention). Export is subject to MoEFCC review, approvals and conditions; SPCBs/PCCs and CPCB play supporting oversight and monitoring roles.
Resource Conservation
Export authorisation supports Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs) principles by enabling recycling and resource recovery. Proper export pathways reduce disposal costs, dependence on virgin materials and contamination risks.
Energy Generation and Environmental Protection
Certain hazardous wastes can be used as feedstock for energy recovery systems (e.g., biomass gasification, anaerobic digestion), recovering value while preventing environmental release of harmful constituents.
Fertilizer and Soil Conditioning
Appropriately processed waste fractions can be repurposed as soil amendments or organic fertilizers, contributing nutrients to agricultural land and reducing demand for synthetic fertilizers.
1. Documents Required for Export Authorisation
Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
Memorandum of Association (MoA)
Articles of Association (AoA) or Partnership Deed
PAN and Aadhaar of the authorised signatory
PAN of the business unit
GST registration certificate
Operational permit of the unit
Valid authorisation from the relevant State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
Laboratory analysis report of the waste intended for export
Prior Informed Consent (PIC) documentation from the importing country (where applicable)
Valid insurance coverage documents
Any other documents requested by MoEFCC during processing.
Procedure for Hazardous Waste Export Authorisation
1. Submission: File the prescribed application with MoEFCC disclosing full details of the intended transboundary movement (applicant details, foreign importer, waste particulars, shipment plan, handling instructions, port details, insurance and PIC documentation).
2. Ministry review: MoEFCC reviews the application and may seek clarifications, technical reports or inspections as needed.
3. NOC issuance: If satisfied, the Ministry may issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) with conditions governing the export. Export must not proceed until the NOC is issued.
4. Circulation: Copies of the NOC are forwarded to CPCB, the relevant SPCB and UT-level pollution control authorities to ensure oversight and safe handling at origin and transit.
5. Trader registration & reporting: Traders involved in hazardous waste exports are provisionally registered with the SPCB. If no objections are raised within 30 days, registration is deemed valid. Registered traders must submit quarterly reports to the SPCB/PCC detailing consignments, actual users and quantities.
6. Appeals: Any refusal, suspension or cancellation of registration or authorisation by SPCB/PCC may be appealed within 30 days of the order, including a copy of the decision.
Timeline & Key Milestones
Timelines vary with application complexity and completeness of documentation. The steps below reflect milestones described in the source text.
Application submission
Varies — initial submission
Applicant submits application (raw text references Form 5 in the requirements section; the procedure section references filing with MoEFCC). Ensure you confirm the correct prescribed form and submission portal with MoEFCC before filing.
Ministry review and NOC issuance
Varies (application-specific)
MoEFCC reviews dossier and may issue NOC with conditions. Export cannot proceed until the NOC is issued; copies are circulated to CPCB and SPCBs for oversight.
Provisional trader registration with SPCB
30 days (objection window)
Traders are provisionally registered with the SPCB; registration is deemed valid if no objections are raised within 30 days.
Quarterly reporting & compliance monitoring
Ongoing (quarterly)
Registered traders must submit quarterly reports to SPCB/PCC listing imports, actual users and quantities handled.
Appeal period for adverse SPCB orders
30 days
Any refusal, suspension or cancellation by the SPCB may be appealed within 30 days of issuance of the order.
Total Estimated Time
Varies depending on review complexity. Note: the provided source references both 'Form 5' and 'Form 1' in different sections—confirm the correct application form and filing procedure with MoEFCC before submission.
Listicles
Key Information Required in Application
- Name and address of the foreign importer
- Detailed waste description: quantity, Basel number, classification, chemical composition and physical state
- Whether shipment is single or multiple consignments
- Special handling or safety instructions
- Details of Port of Entry/Exit
- Written undertaking to re-import the consignment if the recipient country rejects it
- Insurance coverage details and PIC documentation (where needed).
Principal Regulations & International Instruments
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Basel Convention (prior informed consent and transboundary movement obligations)
- Any notifications or circulars issued by MoEFCC or CPCB relevant to export / handling of particular waste streams.
Why Obtain Authorisation?
Ensure hazardous waste is handled, transported and disposed in ways that protect human health and the environment.
Fulfil domestic regulatory obligations and international commitments (e.g., Basel Convention).
Enable lawful resource recovery and recycling opportunities while preventing illicit or unsafe transboundary movements of hazardous waste.
Who is Responsible?
MoEFCC — competent authority to grant authorisations for export and disposal of hazardous waste.
Occupier / Exporter — industries, traders and facilities handling hazardous waste are responsible for safe, compliant and environmentally sound disposal or export.
SPCB / PCC and CPCB — regional oversight, provisional trader registration and monitoring; CPCB and SPCBs receive NOC copies for oversight.
Exporters / traders — ensure documentation, safe packaging, insurance and compliance with MoEFCC conditions and importing country requirements.
Actual users / authorised disposal operators in the importing country — must have facilities for environmentally sound management.
Customs / Port authorities — ensure export does not proceed without valid NOC and compliance documentation.
Confirm roles with applicable SPCB/PCC and MoEFCC guidance before initiating export operations.