The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reiterates its call for all covered companies to register under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, in compliance with Republic Act 11898, or the EPR Act of 2022.

The law mandates that covered firms, called Obliged Enterprises, register their EPR programs with the DENR-led National Solid Waste Management Commission. Obliged Enterprises are defined as companies with total assets exceeding ₱100 million. They can opt to have their own programs, work as a Collective, or be part of a Producer Responsibility Organization.

As of September 2023, 709 enterprises have taken the critical step of submitting their EPR plans. These plans are designed to effectively manage plastic waste by eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging of products, developing more environmentally-friendly and recyclable packaging, and recovering waste plastic packaging. Based on data from the Department of Trade and Industry, however, there are an estimated 4,000 large enterprises in the Philippines.

“Since EPR programs might be relatively new to many companies, we expect that more enterprises will be submit their programs once they better understand how to operationalize modes of implementation into their businesses,” said DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Jonas Leones.

The EPR law specifies that Obliged Enterprises recover 20% of their generated plastic product footprint by the end of 2023 with incremental targets for fulfillment each year, until 80% is reached by 2028.

Brand owners, product manufacturers, or importers of consumer goods who implement EPR initiatives will be eligible for tax incentives. On the other hand, fines ranging from P5 million to P20 million will be levied for non-compliance with the law’s provisions and target recovery rates.

The DENR is currently mounting a nationwide campaign to further explain the EPR law, its benefits, and provide support for enterprises to adopt EPR programs.

Inquiries on EPR may be referred to the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau through telephone numbers 8539-4378 local 135, 136, or 186 or email at epr@emb.gov.ph.#