Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has moved from paperwork to performance. In February 2026 the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment signalled a stronger focus on performance metrics and stricter enforcement of collection and recycling targets, and said that deposit refund systems could follow for waste streams that do not meet their targets.
What is EPR?
EPR is set out in regulations under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act. It makes producers responsible for the products and packaging they place on the South African market for their whole life cycle, including collection, reuse, recycling and safe disposal. EPR schemes currently cover sectors such as paper and packaging (including certain single use products), electrical and electronic equipment, and lighting.
Who counts as a producer?
- Manufacturers that make covered products or packaging in South Africa
- Importers that bring covered products or packaging into the country
- Brand owners whose brand appears on covered products, even if someone else manufactures them
- In some cases, retailers that sell products under their own label
What producers must do
- Register as a producer with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
- Join a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) or run an approved individual scheme
- Pay EPR fees based on the tonnage of products and packaging placed on the market
- Report volumes and progress against collection and recycling targets
- Design products and packaging so they are easier to reuse and recycle
What is changing
The direction is clear: less tolerance for producers that register but do not perform. The department is emphasising measurable results, partnerships between PROs and municipalities, the integration of informal waste pickers and better separation at source. The draft National Waste Management Strategy 2026 is also under review.
The risks of getting it wrong
Non compliance can lead to penalties under the Waste Act. Just as important, many corporate and public sector buyers now ask suppliers to prove EPR compliance, so gaps can cost you contracts as well as fines.
Five practical steps
- Build an inventory of every product and packaging type you place on the market, by material and tonnage
- Confirm which EPR schemes apply to your business
- Check your registration status and PRO membership, and keep proof on file
- Set up reliable data systems so reporting is accurate and on time
- Reduce and redesign packaging, and look for industrial symbiosis opportunities for your by-products
How Mega Unit can help
Our waste team carries out waste and packaging assessments, builds the data you need for EPR reporting and helps you cut waste at source. Learn more about our waste management and industrial symbiosis services or talk to our team.
Sources: Packaging Gateway, Plastics SA. This article is general information, not legal advice.
