Safe and Healthy E-waste Systems (E-SAFE)

India’s e-waste sector is undergoing rapid transformation as strengthened enforcement of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, rising global supply-chain due-diligence expectations, and the National Critical Minerals Mission increase pressure to channel waste into more formal, traceable and productive systems. India generates an estimated 1.7–2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, making the sector increasingly important not only from an environmental perspective but also as a strategic source of valuable and critical materials. The India–Japan Clean Energy Partnership and wider economic security cooperation have further highlighted e-waste recycling and urban mining as areas of growing bilateral relevance. At the same time, a substantial share of e-waste collection, dismantling and primary material recovery continues to take place in informal and small-scale settings characterised by hazardous working conditions, weak regulatory coordination and limited application of preventive occupational safety and health (OSH) approaches. Without targeted action, unsafe practices risk becoming further entrenched as the sector expands, undermining decent work, material recovery efficiency and the long-term credibility of India’s circular-economy transition. This project aims to improve occupational safety and health and working conditions across India’s e-waste value chain, in alignment with international labour standards. It adopts a catalytic, systems-strengthening approach designed to support mutually reinforcing change at macro (governance), meso (institutional) and micro (value-chain actors) levels. By progressively embedding OSH considerations within evolving circular-economy and EPR systems, the project seeks to strengthen the labour dimension of India’s transition towards more efficient, responsible and socially sustainable recovery of valuable materials from e-waste. At macro or governance level, the project will strengthen structured multi-stakeholder dialogue mechanisms and generate sector-specific evidence to support the development of coherent national and state-level frameworks integrating OSH. Value-chain diagnostics, comparative policy learning and international exchange will help government entities and social partners design coordinated strategies for safe, healthy and efficient e-waste recycling. At meso or institutional level, the project will strengthen the capacity of labour and environmental authorities to operationalise prevention-oriented approaches through targeted training, practical technical tools and piloting of risk-based inspection and advisory practices in selected e-waste clusters. Improved monitoring, compliance and reporting systems will enhance the availability and use of sector-specific OSH data for enforcement, compliance support and policy learning. At micro or value-chain level, the project will promote safer recycling practices through the development of a sectoral code of practice, practical implementation guidance, and pilot application in collaboration with employers’ and business membership organisations (EBMOs) , Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), recyclers, and workers’ organisations (EBMOs). These interventions will demonstrate feasible risk control measures and support the progressive uptake of safer and healthier work practices across value-chain actors, aligned with international labour standards and responsible supply chain expectations. The project will directly benefit labour and environmental inspectors, regulatory authorities, municipalities, PROs and recyclers through strengthened capacity and practical tools. Ultimate beneficiaries will be workers engaged in e-waste recycling, particularly those in informal and small-scale operations, including women workers involved in sorting and dismantling, who face elevated exposure to chemical, ergonomic and other occupational hazards. The project also carries clear strate

Project symbol

IND/26/01/JPN

Admin unit

DWT/CO-New Delhi

Start date

22/05/2026

End date

31/05/2026

Total allocation

247525

Total expenditure

Status

Active

20

Development Partners

Japan, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Country/Countries

India

Outcomes

Outcome 6: Protection at work for all