Product stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a concept whereby the producers of consumer goods are required to take greater responsibility for managing the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle.

Introduction to Extended Producer Responsibility contains an overview of EPR.

Priority statements

Priority Statement 2010

Extended Producer Responsibility Priority Statement 2010 (101012EPRrpt.pdf, 458KB) updates the progress of the 17 "wastes of concern" that have been nominated in previous Priority Statements.

Section 18 of the WARR Act requires the Director General to report on the submissions made on the Priority Statement and to publish that report. The Prority Statement 2010 Public Consultation Report (110665EPRconRply.pdf, 124KB) is now available.

Priority Statement 2007

Extended Producer Responsibility Priority Statement 2007 retains the "wastes of concern" nominated in the previous statement. The statement gives notice of the wastes that may be recommend for regulatory action.

Priority Statement 2005-06

Extended Producer Responsibility Priority Statement 2005-06 outlines progress and analyses of the "wastes of concern" identified in the first EPR Priority Statement 2004. In addition it outlines specific industry actions and reporting requirements. Waste stream categories from 2004 have been retained with slight amendments to ensure clarity.

Priority Statement 2004

Extended Produce Responsibility Priority Statement 2004 identified 16 wastes of concern and 9 wastes for priority focus. It did not recommend any regulatory action however, it put industries on notice that action was required to reduce waste created by their sector.

Wastes of concern

Waste streams for focus:

• Computers
• Mobile phones
• Office paper
• Paint
• Plastic bags
• Televisions
• Tyres
• Agricultural and veterinary (Agvet) chemicals
• Agvet chemical containers
• Batteries
• Cigarette butts
• End of life vehicle residuals
• Other electrical products
• Packaging
• Polyvinyl Chloride
• Treated timber
• Used oil and lubricants

More information

Contact: Sustainability Programs Division.