Registration in terms of the: Regulations regarding extended producer responsibility, 2020
Introduction and background
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) published the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations and notices for the identified waste streams of paper and packaging, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and lighting on 5 November 2020 for implementation. Further to this, the draft amendments to the regulations and notices regarding extended producer responsibility, 2020 were published for comment on 19 March 2021.
The purpose of the Regulations regarding extended producer responsibility, 2020 is to:
- Provide the framework for the development; implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EPR schemes by producers in terms of S18 of the NEMWA;
- Ensure the effective and efficient management of the identified end-of-life products; and
- Encourage and enable the implementation of the circular economy initiatives.
In terms of the regulations, all producers of identified products and producer responsibility organisations (PRO) must register with the department. The EPR system provides a means for relevant producers and PROs to register with the department and be issued with a unique registration number.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the EPR system are, but not limited to the following:
- Establish an online registration platform.
- Easy accessibility and quick registration process for producers and producer responsibility organisations (PROs).
- Efficient management of registrations by administrators.
- User-friendly and well organised EPR registration that complies with the regulations.
- Comply with the highest security standards.
Functionality
The EPR system contains information on who should register, how to register, an opportunity to search for registrations and an electronic form to register in line with the legislative requirements. Required documentation can also be uploaded during the registration process. Once a registration form is completed and submitted, a system generated email will be sent to the user, notifying the user that the registration has been submitted for consideration. The user will also receive a confirmation email with a unique system generated reference number once the registration is approved.
Timesframes (commencement of registration)
Registration commences from 05 May 2021.
Enquiries
For queries related to extended producer responsibility, please contact:
- Mr Anben Pillay
Cell: 066 489 6132
E-mail: apillay@environment.gov.za
For EPR registration system related queries, the following officials may be contacted:
- Mr Donald Sehaswana
Tel: 012 399 9831
E-mail: dsehaswana@environment.gov.za - Mr Jeremia Sibande
Tel: 012 399 9832
E-mail: jsibande@environment.gov.za - Ms Senisha Soobramany
Tel: 012 399 9373
E-mail: ssoobramany@environment.gov.za