Philippines issues IRR for EPR law on plastic containers and packaging

In a press release dated January 24, 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines announced that DENR issued Administrative Order No. 2023-2: Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 11898 (hereinafter “the IRR”). The Republic Act 11898, also known as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 (hereinafter “the EPR Act”), has introduced the EPR system for plastic packaging, requiring producers of products with total assets of 100 million pesos (approx. 1.8 million USD) or more to develop and implement company’s own EPR Programs, to comply with diversion targets, and to conduct audits. The IRR provides specific guidelines for the implementation of the EPR Act, especially detailing the components and registration procedures of a company’s own EPR Program, audits, and incentives. The IRR will become effective 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, and upon acknowledgment of receipt of a copy by the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).