While there are currently no specific policies or laws on EPR in Malaysia, a number of existing regulations related to solid waste management (SWM) have laid the groundwork for an EPR system. Section 102 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 grants the Minister charged with the responsibility for solid waste and public cleansing management the authority to introduce EPR through take-back and deposit refund systems. Furthermore, the National Solid Waste Management Policy 2016 provides a comprehensive framework for SWM, emphasizing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R), which align with EPR objectives.
In line with these efforts, the Malaysian Government has devised several strategies and action plans that incorporate EPR to enhance waste management and promote resource circularity as delineated below.
National Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Blueprint (2016-2030), which identifies the roles and responsibilities of consumers and industries in achieving a circular economy waste system.
Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030, proposing the development of EPR policies to facilitate growth in resource recovery while outlining the responsibilities of industries in product development and end-of-life goods collection and disposal.
Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030, which implements pollution charges on consumers and manufacturers of single-use plastics among its strategies.
National Cleanliness Policy (2020-2030), advocating for EPR implementation to promote recycling within the circular economy policy cluster.
Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025, prioritizing in the adoption of the EPR approach, alongside user-pay and polluter-pay principles, to support the circular economy.
Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, which outlines five actions to transition to a sustainable plastics economy, including the development of an EPR scheme and the establishment of a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to coordinate the operation of the EPR scheme.
Table 1. Summary of policies and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Malaysia.
Policies and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 | 28 August 2007 | In force |
National Solid Waste Management Policy | 2016 | In force |
National Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Blueprint (2016-2030) | January 2016 | In force |
Green Technology Master Plan 2017 - 2030 | 2017 | In force |
Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018 – 2030 | 2018 | In force |
National Cleanliness Policy (2020 - 2030) | 2019 | In force |
12th National Plan | 2021 | In force |
Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 | 2021 | In force |
Malaysia is presently undertaking the implementation of business led voluntary EPR schemes, which are mostly led by the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), a voluntary PRO initiated by 10 fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in January 2021. At the same time, the government is developing the EPR governance framework with the aim of transitioning to a mandatory scheme by 2026.
The roadmap for EPR implementation is laid out in the table below, with reference to the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030.
Table 2. Roadmap for Malaysia’s EPR implementation.
EPR Scheme | Process | Description |
Voluntary scheme (2021-2025) | Inception of voluntary EPR |
|
Adoption of voluntary EPR (2023-2025) |
| |
Mandatory scheme | Implementation of mandatory EPR for packaging |
|
While there are currently no specific policies or laws on EPR in Malaysia, a number of existing regulations related to solid waste management (SWM) have laid the groundwork for an EPR system. Section 102 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 grants the Minister charged with the responsibility for solid waste and public cleansing management the authority to introduce EPR through take-back and deposit refund systems. Furthermore, the National Solid Waste Management Policy 2016 provides a comprehensive framework for SWM, emphasizing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R), which align with EPR objectives.
In line with these efforts, the Malaysian Government has devised several strategies and action plans that incorporate EPR to enhance waste management and promote resource circularity as delineated below.
National Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Blueprint (2016-2030), which identifies the roles and responsibilities of consumers and industries in achieving a circular economy waste system.
Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030, proposing the development of EPR policies to facilitate growth in resource recovery while outlining the responsibilities of industries in product development and end-of-life goods collection and disposal.
Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030, which implements pollution charges on consumers and manufacturers of single-use plastics among its strategies.
National Cleanliness Policy (2020-2030), advocating for EPR implementation to promote recycling within the circular economy policy cluster.
Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025, prioritizing in the adoption of the EPR approach, alongside user-pay and polluter-pay principles, to support the circular economy.
Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, which outlines five actions to transition to a sustainable plastics economy, including the development of an EPR scheme and the establishment of a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to coordinate the operation of the EPR scheme.
Table 1. Summary of policies and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Malaysia.
Policies and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 | 28 August 2007 | In force |
National Solid Waste Management Policy | 2016 | In force |
National Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Blueprint (2016-2030) | January 2016 | In force |
Green Technology Master Plan 2017 - 2030 | 2017 | In force |
Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018 – 2030 | 2018 | In force |
National Cleanliness Policy (2020 - 2030) | 2019 | In force |
12th National Plan | 2021 | In force |
Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 | 2021 | In force |
Malaysia is presently undertaking the implementation of business led voluntary EPR schemes, which are mostly led by the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), a voluntary PRO initiated by 10 fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in January 2021. At the same time, the government is developing the EPR governance framework with the aim of transitioning to a mandatory scheme by 2026.
The roadmap for EPR implementation is laid out in the table below, with reference to the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030.
Table 2. Roadmap for Malaysia’s EPR implementation.
EPR Scheme | Process | Description |
Voluntary scheme (2021-2025) | Inception of voluntary EPR |
|
Adoption of voluntary EPR (2023-2025) |
| |
Mandatory scheme | Implementation of mandatory EPR for packaging |
|
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Indonesia
Japan
Republic of Korea
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Viet Nam