Draft e-waste laws in Singapore and Nigeria

An increasing number of countries around the world are implementing electronic waste (e-waste) recycling laws, placing extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations on manufacturers and distributors. Here, we take a look at two recent draft e-waste laws, and what they may mean for you if they are implemented. 

Singapore will publish its first Zero Waste Masterplan this year, to focus on reducing waste in the electronics, packaging and food sectors. It aims to achieve an overall recycling rate of 70 per cent by the year 2030. A new Resource Sustainability Bill is set to be put before parliament this year. Under these measures, an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework scheme will come into force in 2021. 

Electronics which will fall in scope are categorised as follows:

·        information and communication technology (ICT) equipment 

·        batteries 

·        lamps 

·        solar panels 

·        large appliances 

·        mobility devices (such as e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles) 

What does this mean for you? 

Under the EPR Framework scheme, producers of products will be responsible for financing and arranging the end-of-life collection and treatment of these items. 

From 2021, producers of consumer electrical and electronic equipment will be required to join and finance a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to collect and treat e-waste. Financing costs will be based on a company’s market share. The PROs must be approved by the Singapore National Environment Agency. 

Retailers with sales areas over 300m2 will need to set up in-store e-waste collection points for such consumer use (B2C) ICT equipment, lamps and batteries. Producers of commercial and industrial use (B2B) electrical and electronic equipment will be required to take back end of life equipment for free, at the end users’ request. 

Exemptions 

Producers placing under certain thresholds of equipment on the market will be exempted from funding a PRO. For example, the threshold for ICT equipment is 10 tonnes. 

Packaging 

From 2021, producers of packaging and packaged products will be required to collect data and report to the NEA on the volumes of packaging they place on the market in Singapore. Producers will also have to register with the NEA in 2020 and submit a packaging waste management plan. 

An e-waste regulation has been drafted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Nigeria to provide clarity and assign responsibility for e-waste within the telecommunications supply chain. The NCC have estimated that around 75 per cent of electronics imported into Nigeria are irreparable. 

Under the draft e-waste law, manufacturers and producers of telecommunication devices will be required to obtain Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Authorisation from the NCC which will be valid for five years. 

The NCC may refuse, revoke or suspend an authorisation granted if an entity fails to comply with any of the conditions of its authorisation. Manufacturers that operate without obtaining an EPR Authorisation would pay a proposed fine of N500,000 daily from the day of default until compliance has been achieved. Submission of false or misleading information to the NCC would result in a N10 million fine. 

As more countries across the world introduce e-waste regulations, it is important that producers monitor the regulatory landscape to avoid global sales being affected. EC4P offers an annual update service specific to your company, taking into account your company’s sales arrangements and products to notify you if you need to put in place or modify compliance arrangements. Please contact us if you would like more information on this service and how else we can manage your e-waste compliance obligations.