How to Get an EPR Certificate in Kerala — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
EPR certificates — Extended Producer Responsibility certificates — are central to E-Waste Rules 2022 compliance in India. But who needs them, how are they obtained, and what do they prove?
This guide answers all three questions for Kerala companies, covering producers, bulk consumers, and the role of authorized recyclers like EWaste Kochi in the EPR chain.
What is an EPR Certificate?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the principle that producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) bear responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. Under E-Waste Rules 2022, producers must meet annual EPR collection targets — they must prove that a certain percentage of the EEE they’ve placed on the market has been collected and recycled.
An EPR Certificate is the document that proves this. It is issued by CPCB-authorized recyclers to confirm that a specified weight of e-waste has been collected and processed, contributing to the producer’s EPR target.
For bulk consumers (companies using IT equipment for business), EPR certificates serve as evidence that their disposed e-waste entered the authorized recycling chain — satisfying their separate obligations under Rule 13.
Who Needs EPR Certificates?
Producers and Importers
If your company manufactures, assembles, or imports EEE (laptops, phones, printers, networking equipment), you are a producer under Rule 2(q). You must:
- Register on the CPCB EPR portal (cpcb.gov.in)
- Meet annual collection targets (60% FY24, 70% FY25, 80% FY26, 90% FY27+)
- File Form-6 manifests for all e-waste collected
- Submit annual EPR return to CPCB
If you fall short of targets, you must purchase EPR certificates from authorized recyclers to make up the shortfall.
Bulk Consumers
If your company purchases IT equipment for business use and disposes 100+ units annually, you are a bulk consumer under Rule 2(f). You must:
- Ensure all disposed e-waste goes to KSPCB-authorized recyclers
- Obtain Form-6 manifests from your recycler for each disposal
- Obtain Certificate of Recycling from your recycler
- Maintain all records for 5 years
For bulk consumers, the EPR certificate and Form-6 manifest from your authorized recycler constitute your compliance evidence.
How EPR Certificates Are Generated
EPR certificates flow from authorized recyclers. When EWaste Kochi (or any CPCB/KSPCB-authorized recycler) processes a consignment of e-waste:
- The recycler logs the material on the CPCB EPR portal
- The portal generates a Form-6 manifest with a unique reference number
- The recycler issues a Certificate of Recycling to the bulk consumer / producer
- The recycler records the EPR tonnage against authorized producer accounts (for producer EPR targets)
- Both parties have portal records that survive inspection
Step-by-Step: Getting EPR Certificate as a Bulk Consumer
Step 1: Identify your authorized recycler
Verify KSPCB authorization number (KL/EW/XXX) on kspcb.kerala.gov.in. Ensure the authorization is current and covers your e-waste categories (most IT equipment = Schedule I, Category 1).
Step 2: Schedule disposal
Contact the recycler for pickup scheduling. For lots of 10+ units, EWaste Kochi provides free pickup. Agree on the scope: device types, quantities, approximate weight.
Step 3: Provide asset manifest at time of pickup
A signed packing list / asset manifest at pickup becomes the source document for the Form-6. Include: device make, model, quantity, approximate weight, and serial numbers if required by your internal records.
Step 4: Receive Form-6 manifest
Within 24–48 hours of pickup, you should receive a completed Form-6 manifest. This includes:
- KSPCB authorization number of recycler
- Your company name and address
- Device categories and weights
- Reference number traceable to CPCB portal
Step 5: Receive Certificate of Recycling
Within 5–7 business days (after material is processed), you receive a Certificate of Recycling confirming the material was processed through the authorized recycling facility.
Step 6: Archive for 5 years
Both documents (Form-6 manifest + Certificate of Recycling) must be retained for 5 years and made available to KSPCB on demand.
Annual EPR Targets for Producers (FY 2026)
If you are a producer or importer of EEE with your own brand, EPR targets apply:
| Financial Year | Target (% of previous year’s sales) |
|---|---|
| FY 2023–24 | 60% |
| FY 2024–25 | 70% |
| FY 2025–26 | 80% |
| FY 2026–27 and beyond | 90% |
Targets are product-category specific. Shortfalls require purchasing EPR certificates from authorized recyclers to credit against your target. EWaste Kochi can generate EPR credits for registered producers.
What Happens If EPR Compliance Is Not Met?
For producers: CPCB can impose financial penalties, revoke EPR registration, and bar the company from placing new EEE on the Indian market. CPCB portal rejection of annual returns is increasingly automatic for significant shortfalls.
For bulk consumers: KSPCB can issue show cause notices, impose ₹1 lakh/day penalties, and name directors in enforcement proceedings.
Common Questions About EPR in Kerala
“Do I need to file with CPCB if I’m a bulk consumer?” No — bulk consumers don’t register on CPCB’s EPR portal. Your compliance is demonstrated through the Form-6 manifest and Certificate of Recycling from your authorized recycler. Your recycler handles the CPCB portal entries on their end.
“Can I get a single EPR certificate for a year’s worth of disposals?” No — EPR certificates / Form-6 manifests are event-based (per pickup). You cannot consolidate multiple disposals into a single year-end document retroactively.
“Our IT vendor says they’ll ‘handle compliance’ — is that enough?” Only if they are KSPCB-authorized. Many IT vendors subcontract disposal to informal channels. Ask for their KSPCB authorization number and verify it. If they can’t produce one, they’re not handling your compliance.
EWaste Kochi generates Form-6 manifests and Certificates of Recycling for every disposal engagement in Kerala. We can also generate EPR credits for registered producers. WhatsApp to start your EPR documentation process.