Extended producer responsibility in Asia-Pacific: Key mid-year regulatory updates
Across Asia–Pacific, regulatory authorities are placing increased obligations on producers through EPR schemes for packaging and electrical and electronic products. Find out more about the latest developments from our Global Outlook mid–year review webinar for APAC.
As part of our mid-year Global Outlook webinar series, Enhesa Product Intelligence analysts discuss the latest regulatory updates in 2024 so far. In our regional deep dive into the chemicals and chemical products in Asia-Pacific, Regulatory and Compliance Analyst Fourat Muziel and Chief Analyst Nhat Nguyen highlighted the uptake and extension of EPR schemes in Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Read on for a breakdown of the emerging EPR frameworks in Asia-Pacific, which will require action from companies operating within and around the region.
Packaging regulation reform in Australia
Australia put in place a regulatory framework for packaging in 1999, but this has since been deemed inadequate due to its outdated expectations and new global recycling targets for 2030.
Two years ago, environment ministers across Australia agreed to reform the regulation of packaging to align with new environmental goals, initiating an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme.
In May 2023, mandatory packaging design obligations were added to the new EPR scheme.
In November 2023, Australia’s government reached a consensus on developing new EPR measures to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals in packaging, implement mandatory packaging design obligations, and align Australia’s EPR scheme with global standards.
The Commonwealth and state pledged to take legislative action by the end of 2024 to implement the new scheme, which will come into effect by the end of 2025.
We expect to see revised requirements on the national packaging design standard, minimum packaging recycled content (PCR) and the phasing out of certain chemicals of concern.
Extension of EPR for EEE in Hong Kong
On 1 July 2024, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in Hong Kong extended its EPR scheme adding new categories of electrical and electronic waste.
The amendment extended the scope to include larger capacity refrigerators and washing machines than before, as well as standalone tumble dryers and dehumidifiers.
The EPR scheme already covers products including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, and monitors.
Following the amendment, suppliers, manufacturers, importers, and other businesses operating within and around Hong Kong and distributing these types of products must register with the EPD before selling their products in the market. Additionally, distributors must establish an EPR scheme to remove products once they are no longer in use in Hong Kong.
EPR in Thailand
With a new government in place, Thailand is a market to watch when it comes to emerging regulation. Regulatory authorities are currently developing two EPR schemes that could impact producers and sellers in the market, with further details forthcoming.
In February 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the Pollution Control Department (PCD) published the draft Waste Management Electrical & Electronic Products Act.
This long-awaited bill aims to be effective within one year of publication. Currently, its scope is broad, covering products that rely on or use and produce electricity. MONRE and PCD are expected to specify affected products in due course.
The draft Act includes discussion of a product waste management responsibility plan, inspection and control, and penalties for non-compliance.
Once established, the EPR scheme is expected to include registration, take-back obligations, and new reporting requirements.
Alongside the draft Waste Management Electrical & Electronic Products Act, the PCD published a draft Sustainable Packaging Act, outlining an EPR scheme for packaging products, such as glass, metal, paper, plastic and composite.
The scheme is expected to include:
- registration requirements;
- take-back obligations;
- reporting requirements;
- labeling; and
- chemical restrictions for packaging.
In addition to these two bills, industry is also awaiting the Draft Chemical Substances Act, which would overhaul the existing chemical management framework in Thailand.
However, the regulatory outlook for Thailand remains unclear. It is currently unknown if the new government will enact any, or all, of these Bills. If enacted, these bills would usher in swaths of new requirements for industries selling and distributing products in the country.
Catch up on the full webinar
EPR is just one of the many topics explored in our 2024 Global Outlook for chemicals & chemical products: Mid-year review for Asia-Pacific.
Other key highlights include:
- Emerging PFAS restrictions in China and Japan
- GHS implementations in China and Taiwan
- Lead paint restrictions in New Zealand
- Single-use plastic bans in Australia states
- Amendments to K-REACH
- Revision of Vietnam’s chemical law
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