The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has upped by a further 20 Euros the penalty per tonne imposed on producers of packaging and packaging waste who have not respected the deadline of the 31st May 2011, to register/renew with the Authority packaging placed on the market during the year 2009 in accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations.

The Authority said it is advising all producers of packaging, who have not yet registered/renewed with MEPA, in accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations that they will be liable to criminal prosecution which could result in substantial fines, should they ignore this deadline.

Any company that imports or manufactures packaging material is obliged according to law, to collect, recycle and recover the packaging that ends up at the consumer end. The company is also responsible for all the packaging that is left at the retailer and wholesaler, together with the packaging that is generated through the transportation of the products. 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.

The Authority is extending, until the 30th June 2011 the deadline date, whereby all producers of packaging and packaging waste should ensure that their current and past registrations with MEPA are up-to date. 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;

• pay an increased penalty to MEPA of 120 Euros per tonne or part thereof, of packaging placed on the market during the year 2009, which although based on self declarations, would be subject to audits by MEPA or approved auditors acting on the Authority’s behalf, and which penalty will cover the obligation as a producer of packaging waste for 2010.

• Pay a nominal penalty to MEPA of 50 Euros per year due to lack of compliance in the registration period of 2007 (Base year 2006), 2008 (Base year 2007) and 2009 (Base year 2008), if applicable.

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 telephone no. 2290 7240 or 2290 7322 or by email on packaging@mepa.org.mt

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