Regulation - LGIC
Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation for the Collection of Post Consumer Waste Pharmaceuticals and Sharps (including syringes) to be made under the Environmental Protection Act.
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Environmental Protection Act
Summary of Decision:
The Ministry of the Environment (the ministry) is committed to the proper management of wastes to protect the environment and public health. In keeping with this objective, the ministry has made a new regulation under the Environmental Protection Act for the collection and management of post consumer waste pharmaceuticals and sharps.
The regulation implements an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach that requires producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps (e.g., manufacturers, brand owners and importers selling in Ontario) to be responsible for the management of the wastes resulting from their products (i.e. unused or expired pharmaceuticals, or used, unused or expired sharps), ensuring that consumers have access to convenient locations to return waste pharmaceuticals and sharps so that these wastes are not improperly disposed in Ontario's land and waterways.
Producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps have indicated a willingness to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. The regulation ensures that these wastes are collected and properly managed and establishes the level-playing field requested by producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps.
The regulation was filed with the Registrar of Regulations as Ontario Regulation 298/12 (Collection of Pharmaceuticals and Sharps - Responsibilities of Producers) on September 28, 2012. The regulation comes into force on October 1, 2012, with a transition period of three months for producers to meet most requirements, such as the requirement to provide for the collection and disposal of waste pharmaceuticals and sharps and have the minimum number of collection locations available (i.e. by January 1, 2013).
The regulation implements an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach that requires producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps (e.g., manufacturers, brand owners and importers selling in Ontario) to be responsible for the management of the wastes resulting from their products (i.e. unused or expired pharmaceuticals, or used, unused or expired sharps), ensuring that consumers have access to convenient locations to return waste pharmaceuticals and sharps so that these wastes are not improperly disposed in Ontario's land and waterways.
Producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps have indicated a willingness to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. The regulation ensures that these wastes are collected and properly managed and establishes the level-playing field requested by producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps.
The regulation was filed with the Registrar of Regulations as Ontario Regulation 298/12 (Collection of Pharmaceuticals and Sharps - Responsibilities of Producers) on September 28, 2012. The regulation comes into force on October 1, 2012, with a transition period of three months for producers to meet most requirements, such as the requirement to provide for the collection and disposal of waste pharmaceuticals and sharps and have the minimum number of collection locations available (i.e. by January 1, 2013).
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
12-MOE021
Posting Date:
August 2, 2012
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of the Environment (the ministry) is committed to the proper management of wastes to protect the environment and public health. In keeping with this objective the ministry is proposing a regulation that would require the proper end-of-life management of post consumer waste pharmaceuticals and sharps.
The proposed regulation would implement an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach that would require producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps (i.e. manufacturers, brand owners or importers) to be responsible for the proper management of the wastes resulting from their products (e.g., unused or expired pharmaceuticals, or used sharps). Key principles of the approach are:
*Clear accountability on producers;
*Clearly articulated outcomes with flexibility for producers on how to meet requirements;
*Comprehensive, accessible, and convenient collection network to encourage consumer participation; and
*Comprehensive promotion and education activities to improve consumer awareness and knowledge of the collection network.
It is proposed that the regulation would come into effect on October 1, 2012, with a transition period of three months for certain requirements as noted in the following description of the proposed regulation.
The proposed regulation would implement an extended producer responsibility (EPR) approach that would require producers of pharmaceuticals and sharps (i.e. manufacturers, brand owners or importers) to be responsible for the proper management of the wastes resulting from their products (e.g., unused or expired pharmaceuticals, or used sharps). Key principles of the approach are:
*Clear accountability on producers;
*Clearly articulated outcomes with flexibility for producers on how to meet requirements;
*Comprehensive, accessible, and convenient collection network to encourage consumer participation; and
*Comprehensive promotion and education activities to improve consumer awareness and knowledge of the collection network.
It is proposed that the regulation would come into effect on October 1, 2012, with a transition period of three months for certain requirements as noted in the following description of the proposed regulation.
Contact Address:
Effective Date:
October 1, 2012
Decision:
Approved