BIO-MEDICAL WASTE (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES, 1998 The Biomedical Waste Management & Handling) Rules, 1998 came into force on 1998. In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6,8 & 25 of EP Act, 1986, the Central Govt. notified these rules for the management and Handling of biomedical wastes generated from Hospitals, clinics, other institutions for scientific management of Biomedical Waste. The Biomedical waste means any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological and including categories mentioned in schedule I of the Rules. It shall be the duty of every occupier of an institution generating bio-medical waste which includes a hospital, nursing home, clinic, dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory, blood bank by what ever name called to take all steps to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and the environment. The Segregation, Packaging, Transportation and Storage shall be done as under:- 1. Bio-medical waste shall not be mixed with other wastes. 2. Bio-medical waste shall be segregated into containers/bags at the points of generation in accordance with Schedule II prior to its storage transportation, treatment and disposal. The containers shall be labeled according to Schedule III. Every occupier of an institution generating, collecting, receiving, storing, transporting, treating and /or handling Biomedical Waste shall apply on Form 1 for Authorization to the Board. The State Pollution Control Board are declared as prescribed Authority for grant of Authorization. The Board grants authorizations after satisfying itself. Every occupier/operator shall submit an annual report to the prescribed authority in Form II by 31 January every year, to include information about the categories and quantities of bio-medical wastes handled during the proceeding year. The prescribed authority shall send this information in a complied form to the Central Pollution Control board by 31 March every year. When any accident occurs at any institution or facility or any other site where bio-medical waste is handled or during transportation of such waste, the authorized person shall report the accident in Form III to the prescribed authority forthwith. Any person aggrieved by an order made by the prescribed authority under these rules, may within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to such authority as the government of State/Union Territory may think fit to constitute. Provided that the authority may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. For violating the provisions of these Rules, the Board can file a complaint under section 15 of EP Act which provide for imprisonment which may extend upto 5 years with fine. The Board can also have directions for closure of any defaulting hospital/clinic/institution under section 5 of EP Act as per powers delegated by the Central Govt.                              BIO-MEDICAL WASTE          (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING)RULES, 1998             AS AMENDED 2000 – RELAVENT PROVISIONS BIO-MEDICAL WASTE (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES, 1998                MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS                                     NOTIFICATION                      New Delhi, 20th July, 1998 S.O. 630 (E).-Whereas a notification in exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) was published in the Gazette vide S.O. 746 (E) dated 16 October, 1997 inviting objections from the public within 60 days from the date of the publication of the said notification on the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 and whereas all objections received were duly considered. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 the Central Government hereby notifies the rules for the management and handling of bio-medical waste. 1. SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT: (1) These rules may be called the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette. 2. APPLICATION: These rules apply to all persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose, or handle bio medical waste in any form. 3. DEFINITIONS: In these rules unless the context otherwise requires (1) "Act" means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986); (2) "Animal House" means a place where animals are reared/kept for experiments or testing purposes; (3) "Authorisation" means permission granted by the prescribed authority for the generation, collection, reception, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal and/or any other form of handling of bio-medical waste in accordance with these rules and any guidelines issued by the Central Government. (4) "Authorised person" means an occupier or operator authorized by the prescribed authority to generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose and/or handle bio-medical waste in accordance with these rules and any guidelines issued by the Central Government; (5) "Bio-medical waste" means any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biologicals, and including categories mentioned in Schedule I; (6) "Biologicals" means any preparation made from organisms or micro-organisms or product of metabolism and biochemical reactions intended for use in the diagnosis, immunisation or the treatment of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto; (7) "Bio-medical waste treatment facility" means any facility wherein treatment. disposal of bio-medical waste or processes incidental to such treatment or disposal is carried out; (8) "Occupier" in relation to any institution generating bio-medical waste, which includes a hospital, nursing home, clinic dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory, blood bank by whatever name called, means a person who has control over that institution and/or its premises; (9) "Operator of a bio-medical waste facility" means a person who owns or controls or operates a facility for the collection, reception, storage, transport, treatment, disposal or any other form of handling of bio-medical waste; (10) "Schedule" means schedule appended to these rules; 4. DUTY OF OCCUPIER: It shall be the duty of every occupier of an institution generating biomedical waste which includes a hospital, nursing home, clinic,  dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory, blood bank by whatever name called to take all steps to ensure that such waste is handled without any adverse effect to human health and the environment. 5. TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL (1) Bio-medical waste shall be treated and disposed of in accordance with Schedule I, and in compliance with the standards prescribed in Schedule V. (2) Every occupier, where required, shall set up in accordance with the time-schedule in Schedule VI, requisite bio-medical waste treatment facilities like incinerator, autoclave, microwave system for the treatment of waste, or, ensure requisite treatment of waste at a common waste treatment facility or any other waste treatment facility. 6. SEGREGATION, PACKAGING, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE (1) Bio-medical waste shall not be mixed with other wastes. (2) Bio-medical waste shall be segregated into containers/bags at the point of generation in accordance with Schedule II prior to its storage, transportation, treatment and disposal. The containers shall be labeled according to Schedule III. (3) If a container is transported from the premises where biomedical waste is generated to any waste treatment facility outside the premises, the container shall, apart from the label prescribed in Schedule III, also carry information prescribed in Schedule IV. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, or rules thereunder, untreated biomedical waste shall be transported only in such vehicle as may be authorised for the purpose by the competent authority as specified by the government. (5) No untreated bio-medical waste shall be kept stored beyond a period of 48 hours Provided that if for any reason it becomes necessary to store the waste beyond such period, the authorised person must take permission of the prescribed authority and take measures to ensure that the waste does not adversely affect human health and the environment. 7. PRESCRIBED AUTHORITY (1) The Government of every State and Union Territory shall establish a prescribed authority with such members as may be specified for granting authorisation and implementing these rules. If the prescribed authority comprises of more than one member, a chairperson for the authority shall be designated. (2) The prescribed authority for the State or Union Territory shall be appointed within one month of the coming into force of these rules. (3) The prescribed authority shall function under the supervision and control of the respective Government of the State or Union Territory. (4) The prescribed authority shall on receipt of Form 1 make such enquiry as it deems fit and if it is satisfied that the applicant possesses the necessary capacity to handle bio-medical waste in accordance with these rules, grant or renew an authorisation as the case may be. (5) An authorisation shall be granted for a period of three years, including an initial trial period of one year from the date of issue. Thereafter, an application shall be made by the occupier/operator for renewal. All such subsequent authorisation shall be for a period of three years. A provisional authorisation will be granted for the trial period, to enable the occupier/operator to demonstrate the capacity of the facility. (6) The prescribed authority may after giving reasonable opportunity of being heard to the applicant and for reasons thereof to be recorded in writing, refuse to grant or renew authorisation. (7) Every application for authorisation shall be disposed of by the prescribed authority within ninety days from the date of receipt of the application. (8) The prescribed authority may cancel or suspend an authorisation, if for reasons, to be recorded in writing, the occupier/operator has failed to comply with any provision of the Act or these rules : Provided that no authorisation shall be cancelled or suspended without giving a reasonable opportunity to the occupier/operator of being heard. 8. AUTHORISATION (1) Every occupier of an institution generating, collecting, receiving, storing, transporting, treating, disposing and/or handling biomedical waste in any other manner, except such occupier of clinics, dispensaries, pathological laboratories, blood banks providing treatment/service to less than 1000 (one thousand) patients per month, shall make an application in Form 1 to the prescribed authority for grant of authorisation. (2) Every operator of a bio-medical waste facility shall make an application in Form 1 to the prescribed authority for grant of authorisation. (3) Every application in Form 1 for grant of authorisation shall be accompanied by a fee as may be prescribed by the Government of the State or Union Territory. (4) The authorization to operate a facility shall be issued in Form IV subject to conditions laid therein and such other conditions, as the prescribed authority. 9. ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Government of every State/Union Territory shall constitute an advisory committee. The committee will include experts in the field of medical and health, animal husbandry and veterinary sciences, environmental management, municipal administration, and any other related department or organisation including nongovernmental organisations. The State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee shall be represented. As and when required, the committee shall advise the Government of the State/Union Territory and the prescribed authority about matters related to the implementation of these rules. 10. ANNUAL REPORT Every occupier/operator shall submit an annual report to the prescribed authority in Form 11 by 31 January every year, to include information about the categories and quantities of biomedical wastes handled during the preceding year. The prescribed authority shall send this information in a compiled form to the Central Pollution Control Board by 31 March every year. 11. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS (1) Every authorised person shall maintain records related to the generation, collection, reception, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal and/or any form of handling of bio-medical waste in accordance with these rules and any guidelines issued. (2) All records shall be subject to inspection and verification by the prescribed authority at any time. 12. ACCIDENT REPORTING When any accident occurs at any institution or facility or any other site where bio-medical waste is handled or during transportation of such waste, the authorised person shall report the accident in Form Ill to the prescribed authority forthwith. 13. APPEAL Any person aggrieved by an order made by the prescribed authority under these rules may, within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to such authority as the Government of State/Union Territory may think fit to constitute : Provided that the authority may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. 1. COMMON DISPOSAL /INCINERATION SITES Without prejudice to rule 5 of these rules, the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Boards or Urban Local Bodies, as the case may be, shall be responsible for providing suitable common disposal/incineration sires for the biomedical wastes generated in the area under their jurisdication and in areas outside the jurisdiction of any municipal body, it shall be the responsibility of the occupier generating.                                            SCHEDULE I                                           (See Rule 5)                     CATEGORIES OF BIO-MEDICAL WASTE Waste Category No. Waste Category [Type] Treatment and Disposal[Option+] Category No. I Human Anatomical Waste (human tissues, organs, body parts) incineration@/ deep burial* Category No. 2 Animal Waste (animal tissues, organs, body parts carcasses, bleeding parts, fluid, blood and experimental animals used in research, waste generated by veterinary hospitals colleges, discharge from hospitals, animal houses) incineration@/ deep burial* Category No 3 Microbiology & Biotechnology Waste (wastes from laboratory cultures, stocks or specimens of microorganisms live or attenuated vaccines, human and animal cellculture used in research and infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories, wastes from production of biologicals, toxins, dishes and devices used for transfer of cultures) local autoclaving/ microwaving/ incineration@ Category No 4 Waste sharps (needles, syringes, scalpels, blades, glass, etc. that may cause puncture and cuts. This includes both used and unused sharps) disinfection (chemical treat- ment@01/ autoclaving/ micro-waving and multilation/ shredding" Category No 5 Discarded Medicines and Cytotoxic drugs (wastes comprising of outdated, contaminated and discarded medicines) incineration @/destruction and drugs disposal in secured landfills Category No 6 Solid Waste (Items contaminated with blood, and body fluids including cotton, dressings, soiled plaster casts, lines, beddings, other material contaminated with blood) incineration@ autoclaving/ microwaving Category No. 7 Solid Waste (wastes generated from disposable items other than the waste [sharps] such as tubings, catheters, intravenous sets etc). disinfection by chemical treatment@@ autoclaving/microwaving and mutilation/ shredding## Category No. 8 Liquid Waste (waste generated from laboratory and washing, cleaning, housekeeping and disinfecting activities) disinfection by chemical treatment@@ and discharge Category No. 9 Incineration Ash (ash from incineration of any bio-medical waste) disposal in municipal landfill Category No. 10 Chemical Waste (chemicals used in production of biologicals, chemicals used indisinfection, as insecticides, etc.) chemicaltreatment@@ and discharge into drains for liquids and secured landfill forsolids. @ Chemicals treatment using at least 1% hypochlorite solution or any other equivalent chemical reagent. It must be ensured that chemical treatment ensures disinfection. ## Mutilation/shredding must be such so as to prevent unauthorized reuse. @ There will be no chemical pretreatment before incineration. Chlorinated plastics shall not be incinerated. * Deep burial shall be an option available only in towns with population less than five lakhs and in rural areas.                                                    SCHEDULE II                                                     (see Rule 6) COLOUR CODING AND TYPE OF CONTAINER FOR DISPOSAL OF                                 BIOMEDICAL WASTES Colour Coding Type of Container -I Waste Category Treatment options as Per Schedule I Yellow Plastic bag Cat. 1, Cat. 2, and Cat. 3, Cat. 6. Incineration/deep burial Red Disinfected container/ plastic bag Cat. 3, Cat. 6, Cat.7. Autoclaving/ Microwaving/ Chemical Treatment Blue/ White translucentte Plastic bag/puncture proof Cat. 4, Cat. 7. Container Autoclaving/ Microwaving/ Chemical Treatment and destruction/ shredding Black Plastic bag Cat. 5 and Cat. 9 and Cat. 10. (solid) Disposal in secured landfill Notes: 1. Colour coding of waste categories with multiple treatment options as defined in Schedule I, shall be selected depending on treatment option chosen, which shall be as specified in Schedule I. 2. Waste collection bags for waste types needing incineration shall not be made of chlorinated plastics. 3. Categories 8 and 10 (liquid) do not require containers/bags. 4. Category 3 if disinfected locally need not be put in containers/bags.