India's Ministry of Environment bans import of PCBs and PCBs containing equipment

On 6 April 2016, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Client Change published regulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs) Order to amend the Environmental (Protection) Rules by banning the manufacture and import of PCBs and PCBs containing equipment. It also requires the use of PCBs in any form shall be completely prohibited by 31 December 2015. The Order takes into force immediately.
 
ORDER:
1. The import of PCBs and PCBs containing equipment (Polychlorinated Biphenyls ≥ 500 mg/kg) shall be banned from the date of final publication of this Order;  

2. The import, export or trade of Polychlorinated Biphenyls contaminated equipment (50 mg/kg ≤ Polychlorinated Biphenyls < 500 mg/kg) shall be regulated as per the provisions of the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008;

3. The use of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in any form shall be completely prohibited by 31 December 2025;

4. The use of Polychlorinated Biphenyls containing equipment shall be permitted for their certified life time or 31 December 2025, whichever is earlier, provided that they are maintained properly without possibility of leakage or release of Polychlorinated Biphenyls to environment;

5. The occupier shall declare the total quantity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, the number of Polychlorinated Biphenyls containing equipment and Polychlorinated Biphenyls contaminated equipment which are in use and their stockpiles, as per Polychlorinated Biphenyls inventory form as per Form ‘A’, to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, within one year from the date of final publication of this Order;

6. The occupier shall not drain or discharge Polychlorinated Biphenyls directly or indirectly on land, in surface water or effluent treatment plant from defective, out of use Polychlorinated Biphenyls containing or contaminated equipment or in use Polychlorinated Biphenyls containing equipment;

7. The waste Polychlorinated Biphenyls or Polychlorinated Biphenyls contaminated equipment shall be disposed of as per the provisions of the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 by 31st December, 2028. Stockpiles of Polychlorinated Biphenyls if any shall be destroyed in environment beneficial manner by 31 December 2028.
 
Due to its non-inflammability, PCBs is widely used in insulation materials for power equipment or applied as cooling agent and lubricant in electrical equipment such as transformer. The publication of the Order exerts far-reaching impact on electrical and electronic industry.
 
C&K Testing advises businesses to send their products for testing prior to export to ensure conformity. It is noted that PCBs containing equipment (with more than 400mg/kg PCBs) cannot access the India market since 6 April 2016.