Legislation On ‘Right To Repair’: An Imperative For E-Waste Management In India

Puneet Chander Joshi, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Amity Law School, Amity University, Haryana

Dr. Ajay Kumar, Professor, Amity Law School, Amity Law School, Amity University, Haryana

ABSTRACT

With the rising use of electronic equipment in daily life, the subsequent e- waste is also on the rise. Reportedly, India has become 3rd highest producer of e-waste across globe. Main concern is that as per recent data from Central Pollution Control Board, India recycled only 32.9% of e-waste generated in 2021-22. Such report shows that humans are creating and using too much stuff and if they keep on treading the same path without introspection, then ultimately earth will be engulfed by mountains of trash someday. Problems due to exponential rise of e-waste is becoming so tremendous that it cannot be solved at individual level, instead collective measures need to be discovered and an inclusive approach need to be adopted. In addition to other measures, mass consumerism needs to be checked by discouraging planned obsolescence adopted by original equipment manufacturers and a framework on right to repair must be implemented to empower consumers to get the product repaired with ease and at reasonable cost. Also, people need to be sensitized about opting for recyclable and long-lasting electronic products. This article/paper attempts to analyze the benefits of legislation on “Right to repair” for management of exponential rise of e-waste in India.

Keywords: Consumer protection; Environment hazard; E-waste; E-waste management; Obsolescence; Right to repair.