Singapore amends regulations concerning WEEE and packaging regulations 
In Singapore, the Resource Sustainability (Prescribed Regulated Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 were promulgated on May 25, 2023. These regulations amend the “Resource Sustainability (Prescribed Regulated Products) Regulations 2019” for products covered by WEEE, and amend the supply thresholds of regulated products for consumers who are required to participate in the Producer Responsibility System (PRS). The Regulations shall come into force on July 1, 2023.
The supply thresholds required to join the newly defined PRS are shown in the table below. 1 to 4 and 10 to 14 were previously described as 10 tons and 100 tons, but this amendment clarified that the total of 1 to 4 is 10 tons and the total of 10 to 14 is 100 tons. In addition, 8 and 9 had previously been 2.5 tons and 1 ton, respectively, but with this amendment, the total weight of 8 and 9 was strengthened to 500 kg.
| Consumer regulated products | PRS threshold | Compliance year for which the threshold is applied |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Printers weighing 20 kg or less | 10 tons (1 – 4 total) | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 2. Consumer computers | ||
| 3. Desktop monitors | ||
| 4. Mobile telephones | ||
| 5. Routers other than specified routers | 8 tons | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 6. Modems | 200 kg | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 7. Set-top boxes | 900 kg | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 8. EMC class B network switches | 500 kg (total of 8 and 9) | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2023 |
| 9. Network hubs with 8 or fewer ports | ||
| 10. Refrigerators | 100 tons (10 – 14 total) | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 11. Air conditioners | ||
| 12. Washing machines | ||
| 13. Dryers | ||
| 14. Televisions | ||
| 15. Electric mobility devices | 0 | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 16. Portable batteries | 3 tons | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 17. Consumer electric vehicle batteries | 5 tons | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
| 18. Consumer lamps | 3 tons | Compliance year starting on or after July 1, 2021 |
A compliance year is a period that begins on July 1 of any year and ends on June 30 of the following year. On average for each year of the calculated period immediately preceding the compliance year, if the consumer regulated product is supplied above the prescribed threshold, it will be required to join PRS. Note that the calculated period refers to the following:
- Regarding the compliance year from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 — 2020
- Regarding the compliance year from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 — 2020 and 2021
- For all compliance years after July 1, 2023 — 3 calendar years
For example, on average for the three calendar years 2020 to 2022, producers who have supplied more than 500 kg of products in total in Tables 8 and 9 above will not be able to supply such products after July 1, 2023 unless they have joined PRS.
Amended Regulations on Packaging
Also on May 25, 2023, the Resource Sustainability (Packaging Reporting) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 were promulgated, amending the Resource Sustainability (Packaging Reporting) Regulations 2020 that specify the reporting requirements for packaging materials. Major amendments were added to allow for deferral of the deadline for submission of packaging reports and 3R plans. The deadline for submitting packaging reports and 3R plans is March 31 of each year, but submissions may be deferred if the NEA permits it in certain cases. The Regulations came into force on May 26, 2023.
The two regulations can be downloaded from the following URLs:
- Resource Sustainability (Prescribed Regulated Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL-Supp/S293-2023/Published/20230525?DocDate=20230525&ViewType=Pdf&_=20230530173347 - Resource Sustainability (Packaging Reporting) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL-Supp/S292-2023/Published/20230525?DocDate=20230525&ViewType=Pdf&_=20230530173347
