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WeP has been exporting its Printers to European market since 2001 and has been in the fore-front of conformance with RoHS (Restrict the use of Hazardous Substance) - an Environmental Legislations adopted by the EU. WeP has proactively taken up this
initiative - with a commitment to extent the programme to all products manufactured by WeP - without any regulatory pressure, as there is no similar mandatory provision in Indian laws.

The objective was very clear: Creating Environmental Values amongst the Leaders of Tomorrow.

Legislative Framework

Environment protection and its preservation is today the major concern all over the world. The environment proves that all the human activities are inter-connected. An environmental damage within the boundaries of one state has trans-border ramifications. While the scientific and technological progress of man has invested him with immense power over nature, it has also resulted in the tactless use of the power, and endless encroachment of nature. The worst nightmare of this helpless situation is the growth of electronic waste in India.

There is no expressed legislation in India that is taking care of E-waste in India. The Government of India has reiterated its commitment to Waste Minimization & Control of Hazardous Wastes, both nationally and internationally. The general environmental laws are indirectly touching the aspects of E-waste.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes & Disposal was signed by India on 15th March 1990, ratified and acceded to in 1992, and amended in 2003. A ratification of this convention obliges India to address the problem of trans-boundary movement and disposal of dangerous hazardous wastes through international cooperation. As per the Basel Convention, India cannot export hazardous wastes listed in Annex VIII of the Convention from the countries that have ratified the ban agreement. However, the convention agreement does not restrict the import of such wastes from countries that have not ratified the Basel Convention. It is through the orders of the Hon. Supreme Court that the import of such wastes is now banned in the country. The legal basis, therefore, is regulated in the Hazardous Waste Management & Handling Rules (1989 / 2000 / 2003 amended). This document also controls the import of hazardous waste from any part of the world into India. However, import of such waste may be allowed for processing or reuse as raw material.

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Dr. Gursharan Singh Kainth started his career as Lecturer at Post Graduate Dept. of Economics, Government College, Gurdaspur, and later at Khalsa College; Amritsar, specializes in Quantitative & Development Economics. Has the distinction of serving Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, for more than 2 decades and remained Director-Principal of Saint Soldier Management & Technical Institute, Jalandhar. Currently, heading GAD Institute of Development Studies, Amritsar, a self-financed research institute. Has been honoured with various awards, including Guru Draunacharya Samman, Vijay Rattan Award, etc.
Article posted on February 22, 2009.