Haier, Godrej, Blue Star Face Notice Over Fake E-Waste Claims
Indian tax authorities have accused appliance makers Haier, Godrej & Boyce and Blue Star of failing to detect fabricated documents from a recycler that allegedly carried out no actual e-waste processing. A government notice reviewed by Reuters said the companies relied on documents and compliance certificates to meet recycling requirements.
The authorities also alleged that the three companies wrongly claimed tax credits totaling about $714,000 for recycling services that were not actually provided. The notice said the companies had not independently verified key activities including the collection, transportation, receipt, dismantling and recycling of e-waste. The companies said they were committed to legal compliance and would cooperate with authorities, while Blue Star said it had stopped dealing with the recycler.
The case has raised concerns across India’s consumer electronics industry, with several companies reportedly reviewing their recycling supply chains. Investigators found allegedly manipulated photographs and documents, including images that appeared to show e-waste being transported. Authorities are now examining whether similar practices may have occurred elsewhere in the industry.
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