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December 2024 Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter: December 2024

The latest news regarding WEEE, e-waste, battery and packaging compliance

Topics for December 2024

  1. EU Approves the Packaging Regulation
  2. India Packaging Draft Rule
  3. Canada EPR Developments

EU Parliament Adopts EU Packaging Regulation

European_Commission

The European Union Parliament formally approved the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) during a plenary session on November 26, 2024. The European Council then adopted the final text on December 16th with final publication in the EU Official Journal expected in the coming weeks. The Regulation will come into force 20 days following the final publication.

Once the Regulation is in effect, EU Member States will have an 18-month transition period to implement its provisions. Compliance deadlines will vary, especially the provisions that are awaiting implementing legislation. After the 18-month transition period, the PPWR will replace the existing EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.

The PPWR includes several measures for businesses:

  • Establishment of reuse targets, restrictions on certain single-use packaging, restrictions on certain hazardous substances, and recyclability and recycled content requirements
  • Reduction of unnecessary packaging through setting maximum empty space ratios and decreasing packaging weight and volume
  • Declaration of Conformity that details packaging is compliant with provisions in the PPWR
  • Required labeling with details like material composition, recycled content, hazardous substances, and manufacturer/importer information

With these new producer requirements on the horizon, please contact Accerio for assessment, data preparation, and compliance assistance.

India Draft Rules for EPR Packaging

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released a Draft Rule for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging made from Paper, Glass, Metal, and Sanitary Products on December 6, 2024. The enforcement of these rules is scheduled for April 1, 2026. These rules add to India’s EPR packaging obligations, which have been active for plastic packaging since 2016.

Key Impacts of the Draft Rule:

  • Obligated producers, importers, and brand owners are Indian companies who introduce packaging made of glass, metal (excluding non-ferrous metal-based packaging), paper, or paperboard and sanitary products into the market.
  • Obligated entities will have to register through centralized online portal, which is yet to be developed.
  • EPR targets begin from 2026-27 onwards with a 70% collection target obligation on all packaging.
  • Additional circularity targets include recycling and use of recycled content.
  • EPR targets are fulfilled by procuring EPR certificates from registered waste processors, recyclers, or end-of-life disposal facilities via a centralized online portal.

If your company is a producer of packaging, or an already active EPR stream in India, please contact Accerio for assessment and obligation information.

Canada EPR Developments

The amount of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs across Canada has continued to grow, with advancements across multiple waste streams. Recent developments range from entirely new programs obligating batteries and packaging for the first time to extensive scope expansions in some of the oldest programs.

Noteworthy updates in Canada include:

  • Alberta announced a scope expansion coming into effect April 2025 for small home appliances, audio visual & telecommunications equipment, electronic toys, music devices, and lawn & power tools.
  • In British Columbia, the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA) WEEE program transitioned to management by EPRA, which impacts compliance for electronic products such as small appliances and power tools. Reporting via EPRA begins with January 2025 put on market data.
  • The producer definition in the Saskatchewan packaging regulation has expanded to include companies with a presence in Canada. This change has significant implications for the number of obligated producers in Saskatchewan.
  • Ontario has delayed the initial supply data verification for registered Blue Box packaging producers until 2026.
  • New Brunswick passed a law obligating stand-alone batteries. There is currently a legal obligation to register with the authority RecycleNB. However, the official stewardship plan is yet to be published, expected by the end of December 2024. Reporting obligations will begin in 2026.
  • Other notable EPR programs coming into effect in 2025 are: Alberta Packaging, Nova Scotia Packaging, Yukon Packaging, and Yukon Hazardous Waste.

Due to the multiple recent and upcoming changes to legislation in the Canadian provinces, please reach out to us for an assessment. Accerio offers monitoring and full-service compliance management in Canada.

December 2024 Newsletter Read More »

September 2021 Newsletter

Newsletter

Newsletter: September 2021

The latest news regarding WEEE, e-waste, battery and packaging compliance

Topics for September 2021

  1. EU Market Surveillance Regulation
  2. Austria Battery Law Update
  3. Expansion of Producer Obligations in Canada
  4. The UAE Waste Management Law

EU Market Surveillance Regulation

European_Commission

The EU Market Surveillance Regulation came into force on the 16th of July 2021, in the EU and Northern Ireland. As it is a regulation, it became binding in all EU Member States without the need for transposition into their national legislation. The new framework aims to ensure that all WEEE, Batteries, and Packaging products placed in the EU market meet the criteria set by the EU sectoral legislation. It tightens both the surveillance and enforcement of EPR legislation on the EU and national level.

Relevant Changes:

  • The definition of ‘Placing into the Market’ is broadened to include all distance sales to end users, such as via websites and e-commerce.
  • Economic Operators, such as EU manufacturers, importers, fulfillment service providers, and Authorized Representatives, are obligated to provide relevant authorities with information on product compliance and should ensure that the sellers they work with are fully compliant.
  • All Non-EU entities selling directly to end users must appoint a European Authorized Representative and comply with the legislation prior to supplying obligated products to the EU Market.

Please contact Accerio for more information about the Market Surveillance Regulation’s impact on your requirements.

Austria Battery Law Update

The definition of ‘Producer’ will be expanded in an updated Austria battery law. Under the current law, only local Austrian entities are obligated, while the new definition of ‘Producer’ will also include foreign entities selling into Austria. Obligated foreign producers will be required to appoint an Authorized Representative starting on the 1st of January 2022.

This change makes the Austrian battery law more in line with obligations in most other EU countries, following the general trend toward harmonization of legislation. Additionally, the update allows for non-Austrian entities selling from the EU to take over Austrian reseller obligations by appointing an Authorized Representative.

Account Managers will be contacting Accerio clients who are impacted by this change. With the upcoming requirements beginning 1st of January 2022, it is recommended that obligated producers begin the registration process in Fall 2021.

Expansion of Producer Obligations in Canada

Canada flag

EPR obligations exist across Canada for WEEE, Batteries, and Packaging. Currently, 12 of Canada’s provinces and territories have active WEEE regulations, 6 have Small Battery laws, 4 have Lead Acid Battery requirements, and 5 have Packaging laws.

In recent years, several new provincial programs have begun while existing programs have expanded their product scope. The WEEE product scope is regularly updated and there is discussion of electric vehicle batteries coming into scope in multiple provinces. One of the most impactful changes has been the implementation of Ontario’s EPR laws. The Ontario laws require obligated producers to register with the newly established Ontario Authority for WEEE, Batteries, and Packaging. Small producers are only required to register and report, while large producers have registration, management, and public education requirements.

It is increasingly important for companies to understand their obligations across Canada. Accerio provides assessment, monitoring, and registration services for companies selling into Canada.

The UAE Waste Management Law

Eco Design repair screen

The United Arab Emirates passed the Law on Integrated Waste Management in December 2018 that provides a framework for EPR, though the implementation of WEEE, Batteries, and Packaging obligations were not included in the legislation. On the 21st of June 2021, the UAE cabinet passed Resolution No. (39) of 2021: Implementing Regulations to the law 12/2018 on Integrated Waste Management. The resolution outlines several compliance requirements for importers and local UAE entities supplying all types of EEE or Batteries to end users.

Obligated entities must:

  • Pay into a national recycling fund.
  • Contract an approved PRO.
  • Submit regular reports of product take back.
  • Finance the take back and treatment of end-of-life products.
  • Implement collection boxes at retail locations.

This is the most comprehensive EPR law yet in the region, something that we can expect to see more of as circular economy programs take a central place in countries’ economic and environmental plans.

September 2021 Newsletter Read More »

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