The public have been given until June 5 to submit comments on the proposed amendment to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations in relation to electrical and electronic equipment products, the lighting sector and paper, packaging and some single-use products.
The proposed amendments seek to provide technical clarifications to the EPR Regulations to eliminate any ambiguity or uncertainty to the regulated industry and affected stakeholders, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) states.
The DFFE points out that the proposed amendments cover, besides others, definitions, reporting requirements and the recognition and inclusion of the Returnable Packaging Scheme or Deposit Refund System as part of the EPR Scheme.
It also strengthens enforcement and compliance of the regulations to hold producers liable for the achievement of the published targets and to curb free riders; outlines a request for the exemption of the pharmaceutical sector from the EPR regulations; includes a review of the financial arrangements in Regulation 7; and includes the deletion of redundant clauses in the regulations.