MoEFCC Extends Deadline for Battery Producers to File FY 2024–25 Returns

Introduction: Compliance Made More Manageable

In a key relief to the battery manufacturing industry, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially announced a Battery Waste Return Extension for the financial year 2024–25. Now, battery producers get additional time to file their annual returns under the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), 2022.

This extension, issued on 10th July 2025, is part of MoEFCC’s ongoing efforts to support smooth EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) compliance in the growing battery sector.

Background: Understanding BWMR 2022

The Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, mandate producers of batteries—including EV, industrial, portable, and automotive—to:

Register on the CPCB EPR portal
Submit quarterly and annual returns
Report collection, recycling, and disposal data
Generate and transfer EPR certificates

These provisions ensure a transparent system for tracking used batteries and holding producers accountable for responsible waste management.

What the New Extension Means

As per the order dated 10.07.2025, the MoEFCC has:

Extended the deadline for filing annual returns for FY 2024–25
New last date: 30th September 2025
Applies to all registered battery producers under the BWMR framework

This Battery Waste Return Extension gives companies a crucial buffer to ensure data accuracy and platform readiness.

Why This Extension Was Issued

MoEFCC considered the following while granting the extension:

Technical glitches reported on the online battery EPR portal
Onboarding delays for new producers and recyclers
Requests from industry associations citing documentation backlogs
Ensuring 100% reporting compliance by allowing more preparation time

Rather than penalizing partial or incorrect data submissions, the Ministry chose a proactive compliance strategy.

Impact on Battery Producers

More time to consolidate compliance data
Avoidance of penalties or license issues
Better coordination with recyclers for EPR certificate submission
Increased participation from small and medium producers

However, this extension is final, and no further relaxation is expected beyond 30th September 2025.

What You Should Do Now

Producers must:

Log in to the Battery EPR Portal
Verify that all quarterly returns are filed
Submit annual returns for FY 2024–25 before the new deadline
Ensure accuracy in:
- Battery types and weights sold
- EPR target fulfilment status
- Certificate purchase and transfer data

Failure to comply may result in:

Show cause notices
Penalties under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act
Suspension of producer registration

Conclusion: A Timely Opportunity to Stay Compliant

The Battery Waste Return Extension announced by MoEFCC offers a valuable window for battery producers to organize, update, and submit their EPR records without facing enforcement action. This shows the government’s willingness to balance regulatory enforcement with industry realities.

Now is the time to act, review your submissions, and ensure complete alignment with the BWMR 2022 requirements.

Download: Battery Waste Return Extension Announced by MoEFCC