Bio Medical Waste Authorisation

What is Bio-Medical Waste?

Biomedical waste also known as hospital waste implies any waste which contains infectious or potentially infectious material(s).This kind of waste generally includes waste produced by hospitals, clinics (dental clinics, physicians clinic etc), medical research laboratories as well as pathology laboratories.  

Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998 have defined Bio-Medical as a type of bio-waste because of the possibility that it might contain hold bodily fluids like blood or other contaminants prescribed thereunder. These rules were prescribed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) which was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Examples of Bio-Medical Waste are:

1. Discarded blood

2. Waste Sharps include potentially contaminated (used or unused) needles, scalpels, lancets and other devices capable of penetrating skin etc

3. Unwanted microbiological cultures and stocks

4. Identifiable body parts 

5. Other human or animal tissue

6. Used bandages and dressings

7. Discarded gloves

8. Other medical supplies that may have been in contact with blood and bodily fluids

9. Laboratory waste which has any of the characteristics described above.

What is BioMedical Waste Authorisation?

Bio-medical Waste Authorisation is an authorisation issued under the provisions of Bio-medical Wastes Management Rules, 2016 for the generation or collection or reception or storage or transportation or treatment or disposal or any other manner of handling of biomedical wastes listed in Schedule 1 of the Bio-medical Wastes Management Rules, 2016.

Medical wastes, 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 BMW rules, 2016 is called as Bio-Medical Waste. Clinics, hospitals, labs and other medical establishments which generate, collects, stores, transport, dispose of, this bio-medical waste needs to set-up the requisite mechanism for the efficient disposal of generated waste either directly or through a common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facility (ies).

The Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 have hence been notified to efficiently manage the generated bio-waste in the country. Every occupier or operating handling bio-medical waste, irrespective of quantity, is required to obtain authorization under section 10 of bio-medical waste management rule 2016.

Untreated disposal of medical waste will cause environmental pollution, unpleasant smell, and growth and leads to develop insects, rodents and worms and may lead to the transmission of diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and AIDS through contaminated syringes and needles with an infected human.

Diseases, which spread through water, sweat, blood, body fluids and contaminated organs, which are communicable in nature are important to be prevented. Diseases like plague and rabies are also spread through this medical waste which is around the hospitals invites flies, insects, rodents, cats and. Rag pickers in the hospital, sorting out the garbage are at risk of getting tetanus and HIV infections. One of the primary responsibilities of Health administrators is to manage hospital waste in the most safe and eco-friendly manner

Documents Required

➲ ID and Address proof of authorized person of the medical establishment.

➲ PAN card copy of the authorized person of the medical establishment.

➲ Address proof of establishment like a rent agreement, electricity bill etc

➲ MCD license

➲ Waste collection agreement

➲ Company’s PAN, MOA, COI if the establishment is in of company form.

➲ Board declaration for authorized signatory. (if the establishment is in of company form)

Who needs Biomedical Waste Authorisation?

In accordance with the provisions of the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, every occupier/operator handling or collecting bio-medical waste is required to obtain BIomedical Waste Authorisation, irrespective of quantity:

➲ prior to establishment,

➲ before undertaking any expansion or change in activity or infrastructure, and

➲ at the time of change in name or ownership.

Following is a list of some institutions which mandatorily need to obtain Biomedical Waste Authorisation

➲ Govt. hospitals/private hospitals/nursing homes/ dispensaries and Clinics.

➲ Primary health centres.

➲ Medical colleges and research centres/ paramedic services.

➲ Veterinary colleges and animal research centres.

➲ Blood banks/mortuaries/autopsy centres.

➲ Biotechnology institutions.

➲ Production units.

FAQs

Q. What is biomedical waste?

A. Means any waste created during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals or related research activities, or in the manufacture or testing of biological or health camps, including the categories referred to in Schedule I annexed to those laws.

Q. To whom this authorization is applicable?

A. These rules shall apply to all persons who, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacies, veterinary institutions, animal households, pathological laboratories, blood banks, Ayush hospitals, clinical establishments, research or educational institutions, health camps, medical or surgical centers, etc. produce, process, collect, store, transport, treat, disposal or handle bio-medical waste in any type,

Q. Biomedical Waste Categories?

A. Various waste category:

1. Yellow:   

a. Human Anatomical Waste:

b. Animal Anatomical Waste

c. Soiled Waste

d. Expired and discarded medicines

e. Chemical solid waste

f. Chemical liquid waste

g. Discarded linen, mattresses, bedding contaminated with blood or body fluid

h. Microbiology, Biotechnology, and other clinical laboratory waste

Red

Contaminated Waste (Recyclable)

White

Waste sharps including Metals

Blue

Glassware, Metallic Body Implants

Q. Documents required for authorization processing?

A. Generic documents which are required for BMW authorization:

a. Company/Partnership/LLP PAN card copy

b. Address proof of unit

c. Authorized person aadhar card and PAN card copy

d. Agreement with waste treatment facilitator

e. Other additional documents depending on state authority

Q. Consent of Air and Water is required before applying for authorization?

A. It depends on the rule and regulation of the state pollution board, if the state rule state consent is required then we have first procured the air and water consent then have to apply for authorization.