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Print Industry Well-being Takes the Spotlight

What does Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mean?

EPR- is a policy approach under which producers are given significant responsibility, financially and/or physically, for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products. This is to ensure the effective and efficient management of the waste streams within the paper and packaging sector and other identified sectors.

Who is the Producer — The Brand Owner or Retailer?

According to Section-18(1) of the Act: “Producer” means any person or category of persons or a brand owner who is engaged in the commercial manufacture, conversion, refurbishment or import of new and/or used products.

In line with global best practice, the PRODUCER is the organisation that has the greatest control in selecting materials and design. The entity that chooses to make or sell an item in a given format is the producer. This entity, therefore, has the power to change or improve the product and or packaging.

What does that mean for your business?

This is an environmental awareness regulation, that puts pressure on many manufacturers and consumers, forcing them to produce and disperse products in an environmentally responsible manner. Now it is becoming more stringent for brand owners, manufacturers, importers, converters, distributors, retailers (producers) to take-back and recycle their products at the end of their useful lives.

Furthermore, companies are also urged to use recycled materials whenever possible

Background: The notice on EPR regulations follows the withdrawal of section 28 notice which was published in December 2017 calling on the Paper and Packaging Sector to submit Industry Waste Management Plans. A new consultative process towards a Section-18 Extended Producer Responsibility Notice has commenced. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) indicated that they intend to implement these regulations soon.

Parliament met on 13 October 2020, where the Minister of DEFF briefed the committee on Single-Use Plastics and Extended Producer Responsibility regulations recently published. The response from the committee was that the Minister needs to act with urgency to deal with the waste issues especially the plastic waste. The industry should expect the final publication of these regulations within the coming weeks. Once the final regulation has been published, a Producer will be required to register within 6 months as set out in the regulations.

What is my responsibility as a producer?

The producers will need to identify their role in the product life cycle to ensure compliance.

• Register with DEFF as a PRODUCER.
• Join or form Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for all Controlled Products. (View the regulations for list of products below)
• Measure and declare consumption to PRO’s.
• Finance the PRO/PRO’s either directly or indirectly.

The identification of a product or class of products whereby extended producer responsibility applies

The draft EPR notice provides a list of products applicable within the sectors which cover waste arising from the use by a consumer or an end user of the following materials:

• Paper & paper packaging material.
• Plastic packaging, Biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging, Single use plastic products, Single use compostable plastic products, Single use biodegradable plastic products.
• Glass packaging and Metal packaging containers.

View the ERP notice for list of products
View Section 18 notice

What is the Producer Responsibility Organisation and their role?

The PRO legally takes on the EPR of the Producers that are its members for the Controlled Products for which it operates an EPR scheme. The primary responsibilities of a PRO are:

• Support the recycling value chain to increase capacity, collection & recycling.
• Develop end-use markets for recycled material to stimulate demand.
• Develop guidelines & drive better product design within membership.
• Educate consumers to encourage separation@source & recycling.
• To accurately measure & report on the market, collection & recycling.
• To use industry funds responsibly & effectively on behalf of their members.

Which Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) should I belong to/ register under?

This will depend on the type of paper, packaging, substrate or material that you, as a producer are dealing with. You will be required to register under each PRO if you produce more than one of these materials. It will be important to know what your contribution and the role will be. Check the list of Producer Responsibility Organisation below:

1. Fibre Circle (Paper & paper packaging material) – fibrecircle.co.za
   Liquid board packaging both filled and unfilled; Paper packaging; Paper packaging boards - unprinted; Paper packaging boards – printed; Paper – corrugated case materials; Paper, including but not limited to; cardboard, aminated, printing and writing paper, labels and paper sack.

2. PETCO (Plastic packaging) – petco.co.za/
   Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) including blow mould PET bottles, jars and containers, thermoformed PET containers and PET Sheeting/films, and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) including single used products.

3. The Glass Recycling Company (Glass packaging) – theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za
   Glass bottles and jars.

4. Polyco – (Polyolefin material) polyco.co.za
   Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Type 2,4,5 Polyolefin – rigid; Type 2,4,5 Polyolefin – flexible.

5. Polystyrene Association of South Africa – polystyrenesa.co.za
   Polystyrene (including exported polystyrene protective packaging and high impact polystyrene packaging).

6. MetPac-SA (Metals) - metpacsa.org.za
   Metal packaging made from aluminium or steel.

7. South African Vinyls Association - savinyls.co.za
   Vinyls (rigid and flexible).

What if I don’t register?

Failure to comply with various provisions under the draft EPR regulations will be an offence, which may lead to a fine or imprisonment for a period of 15 years.

VERY IMPORTANT: What does this mean practically?

• Start by understanding your “Controlled Product” portfolio.
• Register as a Producer as set out in the regulations within 6 months once final notice has been published.
• Review existing PRO’s and understand which could represent each product.
• Develop systems to measure your “packaging footprint”.
• Consider the impact of EPR fees in your 2021 budget process!
• Look at quick wins to reduce unnecessary consumption.
• Make changes that could reduce your EPR fees or improve recyclability.
• Join chosen PRO’s and ensure that they are acting on your behalf!
• Declare your consumption of relevant products to relevant PRO’s!
• Pay your EPR fees to PRO’s either directly or indirectly as agreed.

Additional information source: Petco

For more information please contact Khanyi Ntanzi at kntanzi@printingsa.org or visit www.printingsa.org to catch the latest on all legislation that we are currently monitoring and responding to on behalf of the industry.

The Supreme Courts of Appeal Ruling on the validity of the PPPFA Regulations of 2015 has no effect on the B-BBEE ACT and its requirements

The B-BBEE Commission has noted the ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal that declared the PPPFA Regulations of 2017 invalid and confirms that the ruling has no effect on the B-BBEE Act, as amended, and its requirements. The B-BBEE Act permits organs of state or public entities to set B-BBEE qualification criteria for procurement and other economic activities and to exceed the criteria set in the Codes of Good Practice through section 9 (6) of the B-BBEE Act.

The declaration of the PPPFA Regulations of 2017 as invalid is not a blow to the B-BBEE requirements for tenders as reported. The invalidity of the PPPFA Regulations of 2017 does not invalidate the B-BBEE Act, and the PPPFA Regulations were not issued under to the B-BBEE Act. The framework for the B-BBEE Act and how it is applied is clear and thus not affected by the ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Click Here to Read the Full Statement

In light of the effect of COVID-19, Printing SA in partnership with Africa Print Live are hosting a FREE webinar titled; COVID-19: How to Thrive - Print Industry wellbeing takes the spotlight!

The past year has brought into sharp focus that health, both physical and mental is essential to prosperity. Printing SA felt it necessary to highlight this by partnering with Agility and HEALTH SQUARED to bring you a session filled with insights as to how you can harness these underplayed areas of your, and your employees’ wellbeing. What many business owners, especially in the SMME sector, have quickly come to appreciate is that their greatest asset is their health, as well as that of their employees.

In this enlightening webinar session, Steve Thobela former Printing SA, CEO and Chairman of Spectramed prior to the merger with Resolution Health to form HEALTH SQUARED, will share his experience with the Scheme and illustrate some of the major benefits that have been tailor-made to suit the Printing industry.

In addition, Bianca Viljoen, Spokesperson for Health Squared Medical Scheme, and Marcia Le Roux, Head Sales Executive at Agility Channel will be sharing their invaluable insights on the importance of providing quality employee benefits. The Agility team will also share some of the real stories that have led to various organisations realising that the overall wellbeing of their employees is paramount.

Last but by no means least, Elri van Zyl, Printing SA Regional Manager for the Central Chamber has a wealth of experience in the Human Resources arena and she will be highlighting how during the pandemic Printing SA was able to assist members with disciplinary hearings in relation to health-related issues.

Date: Thursday, 12 November 2020
Time: 11am-12pm (SAST)

REGISTER NOW

Printing SA’s recent expansion to include members from the Visuals Communications Industry is nothing short of a big and bold move which we are extremely proud of.

With the industry now under our wing, it is time for Printing SA to begin developing the services offerings which allow us to give our new members the value that they expect and deserve.

To get the ball rolling, Printing SA is looking to partner with Training Providers within the Visual Communications Sector, and we welcome them to submit their proposals for the development of an Adobe Creative Suite eLearning course.

This course will form part of the new Printing SA Electronic Prepress Technician Curriculum, with the aim of further developing this material into blended eLearning courses.

The second phase of the project will involve presenting the blended eLearning course in partnership with Printing SA on an ongoing basis.

Project Goals:

1. Develop an eLearning Course which is geared to the Printing, Packaging and Signage industries.
2. Develop practical activities, online contact sessions and assessment instruments which ensure that the Electronic Prepress Technician Curriculum assessment specifications are met.
3. Development of an implementation strategy and rollout which meets the demands of the industry.

Modes of Learning:

• Approximately 8 hours of eLearning per course
• Online Contact Session (Zoom or MS Teams)
• Video Tutorials
• PDF manuals
• Learning briefs and assignments
• Formative and summative assessments (Practical and theoretical)

eLearning Course Development:

• Adobe Photoshop CC Essentials
• Adobe Photoshop CC Intermediate
• Adobe Photoshop CC Advanced
• Adobe InDesign CC Essentials
• Adobe InDesign CC Intermediate
• Adobe InDesign CC Advanced
• Adobe Illustrator CC Essentials
• Adobe Illustrator CC Intermediate
• Adobe Illustrator CC Advanced
• Adobe Acrobat XI for Print and Prepress
• Retouching and Colour Correction
• Packaging Design Fundamentals

Roll-out Strategy:

• Blended eLearning course development timelines.
• Blended eLearning course development costs.
• A 2021 timetable indicating course presentation dates and locations.
• Blended eLearning course presentation costs.

Evaluation Metrics:

• Accreditation as an Adobe Authorised Training Centre (AATC).
• SETA accredited training provider.
• Qualified and registered ETD staff.
• Previous experience and/or past performance history.
• Samples and/or case studies from previous projects.
• Projected costs.
• Industry-relevant experience and technical expertise in the Printing, Packaging, Signage and Visual communication industries.

The deadline for submission for all proposals is 20 November 2020.

For more information please see the following documentation:

• Request for Proposal: Training Provider(s) able to develop and offer Adobe Creative Suite Blended eLearning in Partnership with Printing SA.
• Occupational Certificate: Electronic Prepress Flexographic Technician.
• Occupational Certificate: Electronic Prepress Gravure Technician.
• Occupational Certificate: Electronic Prepress Lithographic Technician.
• Occupational Certificate: Electronic Prepress Screen Technician.

Would you like to be part of a federation that is recognised as the official mouthpiece of the South African printing, packaging, branding, creative design, advertising and communications industry?

PIFSA is a federation that is consulted by government and all other important national bodies. Membership grants you access to information, advice, advocacy and a forum for the exchange of views

Join Printing SA! Follow this link for the membership form, and feel free to contact us for any more information you may require.

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