NOTICE TO THE PAPER AND PACKAGING INDUSTRY, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY AND LIGHTING INDUSTRY
Title: National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59/2008): Notice to the paper and packaging industry, electrical and electronic industry and lighting industry to prepare and submit to the Minister Industry Waste Management Plans for approval
Government Gazette Notice: GN 915 in GG 40207 of 12 August 2016
Commencing date: 12 August 2016
The Minister gave notice to the paper and packaging, electrical and electronic, and lighting industries to prepare and submit to the Minister Industry Waste Management Plans for approval within 3 months. All producers, as defined in this notice) must register within 30 days from the date of commencement of this Notice.
There are, furthermore, specific provisions pertaining to the preparation and submission of industry waste management plans, the content thereof and a public consultation process that must be followed.
So what for my operation?
If your organisation falls within the definition of a “producer”, compliance to this notice must be ensured. A producer commits an offence if that producer fails to register in terms of section 2, fails to prepare or submit an Industry Waste Management plan; or fails to belong to an approved industry waste management plan. The offences are punishable by fines or up to 15 years of imprisonment.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
• Determine whether your organisation has an obligation
To prevent potential unlawfulness, it is important for your organisation to determine whether you fall within one of these industries or qualifies as a producer. Shangoni can assist in determining this.
• Registration before 12 September 2016
Shangoni can also assist in the registration process of your organisation as required, if you fall within the definition of a producer. Keep in mind that registration must be done by 12 September 2016.
• Industry Waste Management Plans
The notice requires applicants in these industries to prepare and submit an industry waste management plan to the Minister within 3 months. There is no limit on the number of applicants that may submit industry waste management plans. Once approved, compliance to this plan must be ensured by its members. All producers will have to subscribe to at least one of the approved plans in their industry. Therefore, it is recommended that all producers participate in the public participation process to be followed prior to the approval of industry waste management plans. In this regard, Shangoni can also assist in facilitating participation by the submission of comments on the draft versions of these plans.
