MEPA sets deadline for packaging producers to comply with legal notice

MEPA said in a statement that producers who have not registered or renewed with the authority, according to the provisions of legal notice 277 Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations, will be liable to criminal prosecution.

This could result in fines.

The deadline for this registration is May 31, 2011

Companies that import or manufacture packaging material is obliged to collect, recycle and recover the packaging that ends up at the consumer end, as well as that which is left at the retailer and wholesaler.

The obligations should be carried out either individually or by means of joining an authorised collective compliance scheme. Only packaging that is exported is exempted from these obligations.  

Producers are also required to ensure that they either join a collective compliance scheme which will cover them as of 1 January 2011 or otherwise provide evidence that they are self-compliant with the obligations of LN 277 of 2006.

Producers must also pay a penalty to MEPA of 100 euros per tonne of packaging placed on the market during the year 2009, which will be subject to audits by MEPA or approved auditors acting on the Authority’s behalf. The penalty will cover the obligation as a producer of packaging waste for 2010.

The authority informs that application forms for such registration are available from the MEPA offices in Floriana and Victoria Gozo, or may also be downloaded from www.mepa.org.mt . Enquiries about this registration process may be made on 2290 7240 or 2290 7322 or by email on [email protected].