The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has ordered a reassessment of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, arguing that the current framework is not compliant with the regulations.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The directive, issued by NEMA Director General Mamo B. Mamo on Friday, June 26, requires the Kenya Producer Responsibility Organisation (KEPRO) to engage manufacturers, importers and other value chain players to align the proposed fees with the Sustainable Waste Management (EPR) Regulations, 2024.

“The EPR fee is meant to facilitate collection, transportation, recovery, recycling and environmentally sound management of post-consumer waste. Therefore, continued collection of EPR fees by KEPRO under a non-compliant framework has hindered this initiative and undermined the objectives of EPR regulations,” NEMA stated.

Consequently, KEPRO has been tasked to convene a validation workshop to reassess the collection and build consensus on a new fee structure, as NEMA noted the existing framework has undermined the objectives of the programme.

📌 What You Need to Know

The current fee structure applies a standard import fee of Ksh150 per item across a wide range of product categories to support waste management obligations.

The EPR fees are intended to fund the collection, transportation, recovery, recycling and environmentally sound management of post-consumer waste generated by products placed on the Kenyan market.

Packaging for non-hazardous products, including plastics, aluminium, composite materials, paper and corrugated packaging, glass, cardboard and cartons, is charged at the same amount

In addition, it is the fee applied to packaging for hazardous products such as industrial chemicals, oils and lubricants, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, veterinary products, cosmetics, paints, solvents, treated wood and agricultural films.

The fee also applies to electrical and electronic equipment, including mercury auto switches, thermostats, batteries and accumulators, as well as end-of-life motor vehicles, automobiles, aircraft and locomotives.

Further, it extends to non-packaging items such as plastics, glass, paper and cardboard products, furniture excluding wooden and metallic types, rubber and tyres, textiles, leather, artificial hair, diapers and sanitary towels.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke