REGULATORY · MARKET STRUCTURE · SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa EPR policy direction for packaging and plastics
Change
South Africa’s environment ministry set new policy direction for packaging/plastics EPR, tightening focus on performance metrics and flagging deposit-refund systems for underperforming material streams (20 Feb 2026).
Why it matters
The environment ministry’s stated direction shifts EPR oversight toward stronger, metric-driven performance assessment for packaging and plastics. It also signals that deposit-refund systems may be introduced for specific streams that are not meeting collection and recycling targets, adding a potential new compliance mechanism beyond current PRO-led approaches. This increases the likelihood of differentiated requirements by material stream based on measured outcomes. Producers operating via PROs may face tighter scrutiny of reported results and greater pressure to demonstrate target attainment under the existing EPR Regulations.
Implications
- • Greater compliance exposure tied to quantified performance metrics vs. process-based efforts
- • Potential introduction of deposit-refund obligations for underperforming streams
- • Higher reporting/verification burden for producers and PROs to evidence target delivery
- • Material streams may face uneven regulatory treatment based on measured outcomes
Who is affected
- • Packaging producers and brand owners obligated under EPR Regulations
- • Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) for packaging and plastics
- • Packaging and plastics recyclers/collectors contracted to deliver EPR targets
- • Retailers and beverage/consumer goods supply chains if deposit-refund is applied
Source
Topics
Law & Public Safety Compliance Climate & Environment Sustainability Environmental Regulation