Bio-medical 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 biologicals, and including categories mentioned in Schedule I, of the BMW rules, 2016.
SALIENT FEATURES:
The major salient features of BMW Management Rules, 2016 include the following:-
(a) The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps or any other healthcare activity;
(b) Phase-out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags within two years;
(c) Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection orsterilization on-site in the manner as prescribed by WHOor NACO;
(d) Provide training to all its health care workers and immunize all health workers regularly;
(e) Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal;
(f) Report major accidents;
(g) The new rules prescribe more stringent standards for incinerator to reduce the emission of pollutants in environment;
(h) Existing incinerators to achieve the standards for retention time in secondary chamber and Dioxin and Furans within two years;
(i) Bio-medical waste has been classified in to 4 categories instead of 10 to improve the segregation of waste at source;
(j) Procedure to get authorization simplified. Automatic authorization for bedded hospitals. The validity of authorization synchronized with validity of consent orders for Bedded HCFs. One time Authorization for Non-bedded HCFs;
(k) No occupier shall establish on-site treatment and disposal facility, if a service of `common bio-medical waste treatment facility is available at distance of seventy-five kilometers.
(l) Operator of a common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility to ensure the timely collection of bio-medical waste from the HCFs and assist the HCFs in conduct of training.