Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Sectors

Industries that must comply with EPR in South Africa

A Quick Overview of EPR

Extended producer responsibility laws require businesses to pay for the recycling and eco-friendly disposal of their products once they have reached their post-consumer stage. The following industries must join an extended producer responsibility scheme and submit collection and recycling data to the South African waste information system.

Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

Official Definition of EEE

The extended producer responsibility act defines EEE as any equipment which:

Types of EEE Covered by EPR

Examples of EEE

Large EEE: fridges, washing machines, ovens, photocopiers, medical machinery equipment.
Medium EEE: printers, microwaves, computer monitors, heaters, sound systems.
Small EEE: Wi-Fi routers, phones, laptops, hairdryers, power tools, smart watches, remotes.
Batteries: rechargeable batteries from phones and laptops, power banks, UPS.

Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

Official Definition of EEE

The EPR regulations define lighting as:

Electrical or electronic equipment used for producing artificial light or illumination
All lighting accessories and components
Luminaires – the complete lighting unit, not just the bulb.
Switch components – buttons, wiring, and the plastic case or cover
Ballasts – electrical components inside lights that regulate the flow of current
Fixtures – another name for luminaires, i.e., complete light fittings.
Modules – LEDs arranged on a circuit board that goes inside a light fitting

Types of Lighting Covered by EPR

All types of gas discharge lighting (fluorescent lights, xenon lights, sodium lamps, etc.)
All types of LED lights
Signal and signage lighting
Luminaires and lighting fixtures or modules
Laser and pixel lighting
Ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) or ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lighting
Automotive lighting and luminaires
Incandescent (filament) light bulbs
Halogen lamps
Off-grid solar powered lighting

Paper and Packaging Products

Official Definition of Paper Products

In the EPR regulations, paper is defined as any substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material used for writing, printing, or as a wrapping material.

Official Definition of Packaging Products

Packaging is defined in the regulations as any material, container, wrapping or corrugated case used for:

Containment
Transport
Handling
Protection
Promotion
Marketing or sales of any product
Metal packaging containers.

The definition includes primary packaging (contains the actual product) and secondary and tertiary packaging (contains products that are already packaged).

For example:

Types of Paper and Packaging Covered by EPR

South Africa enforces extended producer responsibility for these packaging categories:

All paper – cardboard, wrapping, sheets, void fills, etc.
Plastic packaging – all seven types including bottles, jars, films, bags, buckets etc.
Biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging
Single-use plastic products (including compostable and biodegradable types)
Glass packaging – bottles, jars, etc.
Metal packaging containers – foil takeaways, tins, cold drink cans, etc.

Types of Paper and Packaging Excluded From EPR

The following packaging types do not require an extended producer responsibility plan.

Portable Batteries

Official Definition of Portable Batteries

Government introduced extended producer responsibility batteries in March 2023. The regulations define portable batteries as batteries that are:

Types of Batteries Covered by EPR

Alkaline/zinc carbon batteries – everyday household battery cells (AA, AAA, etc.)
Primary lithium batteries (single use) – long-lasting household batteries
Nickel metal hydride batteries – rechargeable versions of everyday batteries
Silver oxide batteries – button-type batteries for watches
Zinc air/air depolarised batteries – cheap button batteries that activate when exposed to air

Lubricant Oils

Official Definition of Lubricant Oils

According to the EPR regulations, the term lubricant oil includes oils that are:

Virgin and re-refined - unused and recycled lubricants are included
Mineral- and synthetic-based – they can be man-made or come from crude oil
With or without additives – lubricants that are mixed with other chemicals are included
Used for lubrication in heat transfer, load transfer, insulation, or other applications.
Able to be recovered after use.

Examples of Lubricant Oils Covered by EPR

Oils That are Not Covered by EPR

You only need an extended producer responsibility certificate for lubricant oils. Other oils are not included in EPR and do not require an EPR scheme.

Technical and medicinal white oils
Vegetable oils
Greases
Waxes
Petrolatums
Two-stroke oils
Chainsaw cutter bar lubricants
Rockdrill lubricants
Water-based fluids with less than 80% oil content
Phosphate esters
Pesticidal and fungicidal agricultural spray base oils
Process oils where the lubricant is compounded into a solid
Marine engine oils
Rolling oils
Drawing oils
Rust preventatives
Mould release oils
Wire rope & open gear dressings
Shock absorber oils

What is the Responsibility of the Producer in These Sectors?

Producers of EEE, lighting, batteries, lubricant oils, paper, and packaging must develop an extended producer responsibility scheme for their products. This scheme should include strategies for collecting, transporting, and recycling waste.

eWASA is a registered producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for all sectors mentioned above.