On 25 May 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) published in the Government Gazette the Resource Sustainability (Prescribed Regulated Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation). The Regulation has taken effect on July 1, 2023.
Background
Based on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach, Singapore’s national electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) management system launched on July 1, 2021. This system is implemented through the Resource Sustainability Act (RSA), administered by the National Environment Agency (NEA). In addition, ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd has been appointed as the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) Operator for a period of five years (1 July 2021~30 June 2026). It is responsible for collecting regulated consumer electrical and electronic waste across Singapore for proper treatment and recycling on behalf of producers.
As a subsidiary legislation supplement under the RSA, the Regulation stipulates the supply thresholds of products that require producers to join the PRS. It was first issued in 2019 and its last revision was released in 2021. Amendments in the 2023 version are summarized as below.
Major updates
The supply thresholds for regulated consumer products Item 8 and Item 9 have been strengthened from 2.5 tons and 1 ton to 500 kg. For Items 1~4 and Items 10~14, it is further clarified that the specified supply thresholds target any one class or type or both classes or types collectively of regulated consumer products specified. See table below for detailed changes.
Consumer regulated products | Supply threshold | Compliance year for which the threshold is applied |
1. Printers weighing 20 kg or less | 10 tons *For any one class or type or for 2 or more classes or types collectively, of regulated consumer products specified in items 1 to 4. | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
2. Consumer computers | ||
3. Desktop monitors | ||
4. Mobile telephones | ||
5. Routers other than specified routers | 8 tons | |
6. Modems | 200 kg | |
7. Set-top boxes | 900 kg | |
8. EMC class B network switches | 500 kg *For any one class or type or for both classes or types collectively, of regulated consumer products specified in items 8 and 9. | Beginning on 1 July 2023 or later |
9. Network hubs with 8 or fewer ports | ||
10. Refrigerators | 100 tons *For any one class or type or for 2 or more classes or types collectively, of regulated consumer products specified in items 10 to 14. | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
11. Air conditioners | ||
12. Washing machines | ||
13. Dryers | ||
14. Televisions | ||
15. Electric mobility devices | 0 | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
16. Portable batteries | 3 tons | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
17. Consumer electric vehicle batteries | 5 tons | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
18. Consumer lamps | 3 tons | Beginning on 1 July 2021 or later |
The official document can be accessed here.
Under the RSA, the compliance year refers to a period starting from July 1 of any year to June 30 of the following year (both dates inclusive). If a registered producer has supplied more than the threshold prescribed for the regulated consumer product on average for each year in the relevant period immediately preceding the compliance year, the producer must not supply any regulated consumer product in any compliance year.
Compliance year | Relevant period |
1 July 2021 ～ 30 June 2022 (both dates inclusive) | The calendar year 2020 |
1 July 2022 ～ 30 June 2023 (both dates inclusive) | The calendar years 2020 and 2021 |
Any compliance year after 1 July 2023 | 3 calendar years immediately preceding the compliance year |
Offence shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both.
