Part 1: What is EPR? And EPR Roadmap in Viet Nam?

Synonyms concepts such as Social Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility and Consumer Responsibility of manufacturers, and recently, another term mentioned is "Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR). Although not new in the world, what is EPR, and what is the implementation roadmap for EPR Policy in Vietnam?

This article shares current legal regulations for implementing extended responsibility of manufacturers and importers - EPR- as well as solutions to organise EPR implementation under Regulations in Vietnam, effective January 1, 2024.

Part 1: Extended Producer Responsibility - EPR (Photo: A Chau Environment)

What is Extended Producer Responsibility - EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an approach to Environmental Policy whereby the responsibility of the manufacturer of a product is extended to the disposal stage in the product's life cycle.

The EPR Policy requires manufacturers to be responsible for managing products after they become waste, including collection, pretreatment such as sorting, dismantling or decontamination, (to prepare for) reuse, recovery (including recycling and energy recovery) or eventual disposal.

Put it another way, the EPR policy shows that the responsibility of the maker does not stop at the product but extends to the management of post-consumer waste.

Roadmap for implementing EPR Policy in Viet Nam

Roadmap for manufacturers and importers to carry out their responsibility to recycle products and packaging. (Photo: A Chau Environment)

The concept of EPR was first introduced in the Law on Environmental Protection in 2005, with the requirement to recall certain post-consumer products. By 2020, the Law on Environmental Protection will have basic adjustments to the EPR Policy, which are detailed stipulated in Articles 54 and 55.

Organisations and individuals that produce and import products and packaging specified in Column 3, Appendix XXII - Decree 08/2022/ND-CP to bring to the Vietnamese market must carry out the responsibility to recycle products. , that packaging by required recycling rates and specifications.

Article packaging (including direct and outer) of the following products:

• Food under the Law on Food Safety;
• Cosmetics under the Provisions of the Law on Cosmetic Production Conditions;
• Medicines as prescribed by Pharmaceutical Law;
• Fertilisers, animal feed, veterinary medicine under the Provisions of Law on Fertilisers, Animal Feed, and Veterinary Medicines;
• Detergents and cleansers used in household, agricultural and medical fields;
• Cement.

The following subjects are not responsible for recycling:

• Manufacturers and importers of products and packaging for export or temporary import for re-export or production and import for research, study and testing purposes;
• Packaging manufacturers specified in Clause 1 of this Article have revenue from sales and service provision of less than 30 Billion VND in the previous year;
• The packaging importer specified in Clause 1 of this Article has a total import value (calculated by customs value) of less than 20 billion VND in the previous year.

Manufacturers and importers are responsible for recycling the products and packaging they produce and import by the following roadmap:

• Packaging and battery products; lubricants; tyres and tubes: from January 1, 2024;
• Electrical and electronic products: from January 1, 2025;
• Vehicles: from January 1, 2027.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) submits to the Prime Minister to promulgate regulations on vehicle disposal before January 1, 2025.

Legal Documents on Extended Prodcer's Responsibility - EPR:

- Pursuant to the law on environmental protection No. 72/2020/QH14 dated November 17, 2020, of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;
- Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated January 10, 2022 Decree detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection;
- Pursuant to Circular No. 02/2022/TT-BTNMT dated January 10, 2022, the Circular detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection;

Above is some content compiled by A Chau Environment. The content is for reference only and does not replace current legal documents. If Clients need in-depth advice for a specific case, please get in touch with Our official channels via hotline 1900 545450 – 033 835 1122 or leave a request at www.moitruongachau.com.

Source: A Chau Environment