Background & Objectives:Improper management of Bio–Medical Waste poses serious threat to health care workers, waste handlers, patients, care givers, community and finally the environment. The need of safely managing the biomedical waste has led to the formulation of new Bio–Medical Waste Management (BMWM) rules 2016, recently published by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on 28^th March 2016. The objective of this paper is to create awareness among the health care personnel regarding the changes mentioned in the new BMWM rules 2016 for implementation of the same in near future.

Methods:Both the new BMWM rule, 2016 and the previous BMW Management and Handling (BMWMH) rule, 1998 was thoroughly studied by the authors with reference to all its schedules and forms.  The major highlights of new rules and its differences from previous one are discussed.

Results:Several new provisions have been added in the new rules. The duties of both the occupier and the operator are listed. The new rule segregates the infectious waste into four categories. Waste should be pre–treated through disinfection or sterilisation on–site as per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines before being sent for final disposal. The rule also emphasizes to phase out use of chlorinated plastic bags within two years from the date of notification and to establish a bar code system for disposal bags within 1 year.  It ensures treatment of liquid waste in accordance of water act.

Conclusions: The rule 2016 is to be implemented with 2 years from its publication. Therefore, understanding the new BMWM Rule 2016 is the first step towards implementation followed by training and education of the Health care personnel on regular basis for compliance.