Draft Amendments to Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations Gazetted for Public Comment

Posted 06 November 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: Under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, No. 59 of 2008, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment has gazetted proposed amendments to five sets of extended producer responsibility regulations for public review.

The published draft notices amend the core Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations as well as sector-specific regulatory frameworks governing designated waste streams. The gazetted notices establish a public consultation deadline of 5 December 2026 for written submissions and representations.

The revisions are intended to refine operational obligations, scheme mandates, and governance requirements across affected sectors, encompassing:

  • The primary Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations framework; and
  • Sector-specific extended producer responsibility schemes covering lighting, electrical & electronic equipment, paper & packaging, and related product streams.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Environmental legal practitioners and compliance officers must examine the published draft schedules to audit changes in producer definition, scope of covered products, and statutory reporting duties.
  • For your business: Manufacturers, brand owners, distributors, and registered Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) must benchmark their current schemes against the draft amendments and prepare submissions before the 5 December 2026 deadline.
  • For your clients: Importers and commercial producers of packaging, electronics, and lighting goods must review their product portfolio to evaluate potential shifts in fee liabilities, take-back obligations, and annual audit criteria.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/waste-management-extended-producer-responsibility-regulations-more-amendments-out-for-comment

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