NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT, 59 OF 2008: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS AND NOTICES REGARDING EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY, 2020
Notice Title: National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 59 of 2008 (“NEMWA”): Proposed Amendments to the Regulations and Notices Regarding Extended Producer Responsibility, 2020
Government Notice: GN 5534 in GG 51528 on 7 November 2024
Commencing date: Comments to be submitted on or before 9 December 2024
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in terms of sections 18(1), 18(3), 69(1 )(b), (g), (i), (I), (o), (dd) and (ee), 72 and 73 of the NEMWA, intends to amend the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, 2020 (“EPR Regulations”) and the associated Notices in respect of the extended producer responsibility scheme for the electrical and electronic equipment products, the lighting sector and the paper, packaging and some single use products, published under GNR 1184, GNR 1185, GNR 1186 and GNR 1187 of 5 November 2020 respectively.
The proposed amendments seek to:
- provide technical clarifications to the EPR Regulations and the associated Notices. This is to eliminate any ambiguities or uncertainty for the regulated industry sectors and affected stakeholders.
- amend the following key areas:
- definitions,
- reporting requirements,
- the recognition and inclusion of the Deposit Refund System as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme,
- strengthening of enforcement and compliance with the Regulations to hold producers liable for the achievement of the published targets and to curb free riders,
- provision for the exemption of the pharmaceutical sector from Extended Producer Responsibility,
- the review of financial arrangements in regulations 7 and 7A; and
- the deletion of redundant clauses in the Regulations.
Members of the public are invited to submit comments on or before 9 December 2024. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here.
For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.
