Debated in Parliament on 9 May 2023.
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether NEA has conducted any external checks to audit the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) processes for e-waste management that was introduced in July 2021.
There are four groups of stakeholders regulated under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for e-waste: producers, which are manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products; the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) operator; large retailers of electrical and electronic products; and e-waste recyclers.
Producers are required to submit data to the National Environment Agency (NEA) on the weight of products supplied annually. Producers who supply above a prescribed threshold are required to join the PRS and pay fees to the PRS operator, who will collect e-waste disposed of by the public for recycling by licensed e-waste recyclers. NEA conducts audits on the data submitted by producers.
The PRS operator must meet licensing requirements and service standards. NEA monitors key aspects of its operations, such as the deployment of e-waste recycling points, timely collection of e-waste and management of public feedback. NEA audits the data submitted by the PRS operator on the amount of e-waste collected and sent for recycling.
Retailers are required to provide in-store e-waste collection services and free one-for-one takeback of old appliances when consumers purchase new appliances. NEA conducts inspections of retailers' premises and, together with the PRS operator, monitors their collection performance.
NEA also audits the recycling data submitted by e-waste recyclers and inspects their premises to ensure that they recycle e-waste in an environmentally sustainable manner and meet material recovery targets.
The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will continue to monitor and audit the management of e-waste by the above stakeholders under the EPR.
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