SIAM drives circular economy with an extended producer responsibility seminar

In order to drive a circular economy, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex automotive industry body, organised a seminar on 'Achieving Circularity in the Automotive Industry through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)'.

The seminar emphasised how effective EPR implementation can contribute to an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Circular Economy, Decarbonisation, LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), and achieve the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The inaugural session, themed “EPR- A key tool for low-carbon transition in the Automotive Industry”, was graced by Chief Guest Dr Hanif Qureshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries. The session also witnessed the participation of Shrikant Deshmukh, Chairperson, SIAM Recycling Group and General Manager, Product Homologation - Certification and Regulations at Mercedes-Benz India, Harjeet Singh, Executive Advisor- Technology, Hero Motocorp, and Urmila Bhargava, Chairperson, IFP Petro.

In his welcome address on behalf of the automobile industry, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “ERP is an integral part of the Government of India’s vision for a circular economy. Considering the wastes our industry generates, we have a fantastic opportunity to turn them into assets. The automobile industry has always advocated the creation of sustainable economy and reducing carbon footprint. The sector is devoted to exerting serious effort and helping India adopt circular economy principles.”

Chief Guest, Dr Hanif Qureshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, said, "The PLI programme is one of the government's futuristic initiatives towards realising the sustainability goals by supporting industries to operate in a sustainable way. India manufactured 2.6 crore vehicles in the FY 2022-23 due to PLI and PLI ACC schemes. We must consider the next 15–20 years and devise creative strategies and solutions to help us achieve our recycling and reuse objectives. The Indian Government is eager to collaborate with the sector and support its initiatives.”

Shrikant Deshmukh, Chairperson, SIAM Recycling Group, said, “Understanding and religiously following ERP has become essential to create a sustainable future and we must outline a strategic framework to move towards the same. The Indian motor industry has consistently backed government efforts to promote the circular economy because it holds these ideas in high respect.” 

There were three thematic sessions, namely, ERP Regime for Battery and E-waste Management, ERP Regime for Used Oil and Plastic Waste Management, ERP Regime for Tyre Waste & ELV Management. These were followed by a panel discussion on Extended Producer Responsibility Fostering SDG 2030.

The speakers at the seminar underlined the specific responsibility to achieve circularity and the necessity for implementing sustainability and circularity principles at the very early stage, beginning with product designing.