Product Stewardship

Product Stewardship: Design for Environment

Hero MotoCorp integrates sustainability into every stage of the product lifecycle to minimize our environmental footprint. We deliver innovative mobility solutions through a circular approach:

Eco-Design: Prioritizing recyclability and the elimination of hazardous substances during development.
Impact Analysis: Utilizing Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to optimize environmental performance.
Lifecycle Responsibility: Driving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) take-back programs and educating consumers on responsible disposal.

Our products achieved a recyclability rate exceeding 95%.

Exceeding Recyclability Standards

Hero MotoCorp surpasses the AIS 129 requirement of 80% recyclability, ensuring our vehicles are designed for a sustainable end-of-life. We calculate recyclability as the percentage of a vehicle’s total mass that can be reprocessed into new materials.

While we prioritize the recovery of high-quality recyclable materials, HMCL maintains a strict policy against part reuse to ensure the highest levels of safety and component longevity.

Reduction or Phase-out of Hazardous Substances from Products:

Our commitment to Product Stewardship is twofold: ensuring a safer and healthier environment for both our employees and the communities we operate in, and guaranteeing that our products are free from any hazardous substances. All substances are recorded as per their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers listed in Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL) list. We maintain this commitment throughout our product portfolio.

To achieve this, we have implemented a comprehensive and systematic approach to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances from our products, preventing them from entering our production process and keeping them out of the waste stream. Our products fully comply with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, enabling us to minimize the risks associated with waste and mitigate its impact on human health and the environment.

In line with the Government of India's 2020 mandate (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) and the Global Stockholm Convention, we have taken a proactive step by prohibiting the use of seven Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) banned by the Indian government. Additionally, we are actively working to address upcoming chemical regulations, demonstrating our dedication to environmental sustainability, responsible practices, and a healthier future for generations to come.

Inspection and Analysis of Hazardous Substances

We are dedicated to minimizing the environmental impact of our products across their entire life cycle.

We are committed to ensuring our products are free of hazardous substances. All substances are recorded by their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers and listed in the Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL).

To achieve this, we have implemented a comprehensive system to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances from our products, preventing them from entering our production process and the waste stream. Our products fully comply with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, minimizing waste risks and mitigating their impact on human health and the environment.

To this end, we utilize the International Material Data System (IMDS) as a crucial screening tool for all parts and components. This system helps us build a more sustainable product portfolio by reporting on recyclability, recoverability, reusability (RRR), Hazardous substances, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and heavy metal restrictions (HMR).

This involves collecting material composition data from our suppliers. This data is essential for ensuring compliance, identifying hazardous materials, and meeting RRR requirements, as well as adhering to regulations concerning conflict minerals.

California Proposition 65

Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Proposition 65 also prohibits California businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water.

Motorcycle or motor driven vehicles may contain Lead, Phthalates and Asbestos and cause long term human health issues. Through IMDS we ensure that these substances must not be present in potential motorcycle parts.

International Material Data System (IMDS) at Hero MotoCorp

The International Material Data System (IMDS) serves as the automotive industry's standard for material data, adopted globally by nearly all Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). IMDS is essential for organizations to comply with both National and International laws, regulations, and standards governing automobile manufacturing.

At HMCL, we utilize IMDS to effectively monitor and restrict hazardous substances, including heavy metals (HMR), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and substances covered by California Proposition 65.

This system facilitates a two-way reporting process where suppliers generate Material Data Sheets (MDS). These sheets structure data in a Bill of Materials (BOM) format, detailing the chemical composition and weight of each sub-component, along with any applicable hazardous material limit restrictions and cautions. HMCL then reviews, approves, and saves these accepted MDS for substance reporting, while ensuring data confidentiality is maintained. Suppliers retain visibility of their reported information throughout this process.

Conflict Minerals:

Conflict minerals are raw materials mined in parts of the world where there is high-intensity conflict or systematic human rights violations. They are most commonly defined as the "3T1G": Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten, and Gold.

These four minerals are ubiquitous in modern life, appearing in everything from your smartphone to your car's engine.

Tracking these minerals (often called "supply chain due diligence") is critical for ethical, legal, and environmental reasons. Illegal mining often ignores environmental regulations, leading to massive deforestation, water pollution (through chemicals like mercury and cyanide), and the destruction of local ecosystems. Proper tracking encourages sourcing from regulated, sustainable mines.

To ensure compliance with our policy, we require all Tier-1 suppliers to provide undertakings that they will track and avoid conflict minerals throughout the supply chain, in accordance with the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) established by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). We also utilize the International Material Database System (IMDS) as a screening tool to verify the origin of all parts and components.

In FY26, none of our products contained minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. We maintain open and transparent communication with our suppliers by incorporating conflict minerals clauses into our supplier agreements.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):

To holistically evaluate the environmental impact of our products, we undertake cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in alignment with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. We apply the CML (Centre of Environmental Science, Leiden University) methodology framework to assess multiple environmental impact categories.

The LCA process involves several steps, including:

Goal and scope definition:

Defining the purpose and scope of the LCA study, including the product or process to be assessed and the environmental impacts to be evaluated.

Inventory analysis:

Collecting data on the inputs and outputs of the product or process, including energy and water usage, raw materials, and emissions.

Impact assessment:

Evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the product or process, including climate change, resource depletion, and human health effects.

Interpretation:

Interpreting the results of the LCA study and identifying opportunities for improvement. The LCA approach helps understand the product footprint of and the environmental impacts associated with:
Raw material extraction: The extraction and processing of raw materials, such as metals and minerals, required to produce the two, threewheelers.

Manufacturing: The production process, including energy and water usage, emissions, and waste generation.

Use Phase: The operation and maintenance of the two, three-wheelers, including energy consumption and emissions.

End-of-life: The disposal or recycling of the two, three-wheelers at the end of their life cycle

We completed comprehensive LCA studies for seven key products (HF Deluxe, Splendor + XTEC, HD X440, Vida V2, Passion Plus, Xtreme 125R CC and Super Splendor + XTEC) which cover 80% of our total sales volume, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable product development and continuous environmental performance improvement.

Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR)

End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Rules, 2025:

Notified in January 2025, these rules mandate that producers ensure their old vehicles are scrapped at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs).

Scrapping Targets:

Producers must meet annual targets based on the number of vehicles they put on the market 20 years ago (for non-transport 2Ws).

Our EPR & Scrappage Ecosystem

Hero MotoCorp is advancing India's circular economy by managing the full vehicle lifecycle. Through our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, we ensure end-of-life vehicles are processed through a formal, environmentally sound network.

Our Circularity Strategy

Integrated Scrapping: Partnering with and building Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) to ensure compliant de-pollution and material recovery.
The 'Green Bonus': Offering customers an incentive of up to ₹3,000 for valid scrappage documentation, encouraging responsible disposal.
Resource Efficiency: Enhancing the formal scrapping ecosystem to maximize material reuse and reduce environmental impact.
Bridge the gap: Acquiring EPR certificates from Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs).

Vehicle Emissions and Operational Efficiency:

We employ a rigorous governance framework and cross-functional testing protocols to ensure every vehicle surpasses quality and emission standards. This process includes extensive post-manufacturing evaluations and pre-launch verifications to maintain high performance and regulatory compliance.

Compliance Monitoring and Regulatory Reporting:

Our robust governance system ensures strict adherence to current emission standards, with verified data reported to the appropriate authorities. We maintain transparency by disclosing fuel efficiency data in the public domain via the SIAM (Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers). Regular audits of our product portfolio allow us to identify and address any performance variability, taking corrective actions as needed. Additionally, we conduct periodic Conformity of Production (CoP) tests at certified agencies like ICAT or ARAI to verify that our vehicles consistently meet applicable emission norms. To date, we have received no complaints regarding emission deviations during the consumer use phase.

Learn more about our programs

Sustainability

UN SDG's

Supply chain Sustainability

OHS

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Merchandise

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Exchange

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