Government bans export of unsorted lithium-ion battery waste and scrap

The Government of India on Tuesday imposed an immediate ban on the export of unsorted waste and scrap of primary cells, batteries, and electric accumulators. According to a report by Businessline, this ban specifically applies to waste that does not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury.

This decision was taken through an official notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The notification clarifies that the export of lithium-ion battery black mass and other specified battery scrap will now be prohibited. These new rules have been implemented with immediate effect.

The DGFT stated, "Waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators; spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators - which are unsorted and do not contain lead, cadmium or mercury (lithium-ion battery black mass)... its export policy has been changed from 'Free' to 'Prohibited'."

This decision taken by the government will remain in effect until further orders. Through this change, a complete stop has been placed on sending lithium-ion battery black mass and related unsorted scrap out of the country.

Thus, henceforth, no company or organization will be able to export the specified battery waste. Following this instruction from the DGFT, industries will have to make necessary changes to their export processes, as the export of these items previously fell under the 'Free' category but has now been placed in the prohibited category.