"Climate change and environment": Beginning the preparation of a framework for implementing Extended Producer Liability in the UAE
Abu Dhabi, 8 December / WAM / The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment revealed the start of preparing a framework for implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Emirates. This comes as part of the Ministry’s ambitious efforts to address many environmental issues, integrated waste management, and promote the circular economy and sustainable economic development in the country.
The initiative seeks to achieve a set of goals, most notably reducing waste and increasing recycling rates, in addition to promoting the concept of the circular economy in our local markets, by relying on the methodology of reusing resources in a sustainable manner.
This transformation will push companies and factories to adopt innovative ideas and tools in the manufacturing sector, which will support partnerships between the public and private sectors to provide innovative waste management solutions.
Her Excellency Engineer Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said that extended producer responsibility is one of the most important initiatives included in the national agenda for integrated waste management 2023-2026, and is an important step towards achieving the goals of sustainable development, which is a concept It engages producers in responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including post-consumer waste management through processes including recovery programmes, waste treatment and final disposal.
She added that the Extended Producer Responsibility framework aims to enhance the participation of the private sector in the waste treatment system and the optimal use of products, which leads to increasing waste treatment rates and diverting them from landfills, and enhancing the concept of the circular economy and its applications. Through this initiative, we seek to build a new culture between sector companies and members of society. By sharing the common responsibility to protect our natural resources.
The framework is based on Article 5 of Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 regarding Integrated Waste Management, which stipulates that “both the waste producer and the supplier shall bear the responsibility of accepting returned products and waste remaining after use, and the financial costs resulting from that in accordance with what is determined by the executive regulations of this law.” the law”.
The responsibilities of the producer and supplier were also specified in Cabinet Resolution No. 39 of 2021 regarding the executive regulations of Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 regarding integrated waste management.
The Extended Producer Liability framework targets three types of products, including packaging products, electrical and electronic devices, and batteries.
With the aim of designing and implementing an effective Extended Producer Responsibility system in the country, the Ministry has strengthened its cooperation with a number of partners from the government and private sectors, including the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, environmental authorities, producers, retailers and those responsible for waste management services.
The Ministry also conducted many studies and analyzes and organized workshops to collect information from its partners to lay strong foundations for this initiative, by forming a strong framework for it that takes into account the views and needs of all concerned parties.
During the coming period, it is scheduled to launch a pilot project that is currently being developed based on the principles of extended product responsibility. This pilot project will serve as a practical test of the framework and will provide a clear vision for its application in the future, with an emphasis on community participation within that system by guiding them on how to dispose of the aforementioned waste. To them in a safe manner that ensures their contribution to integrated waste management and environmental preservation in the country.
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