Waste Disposal Act Amendment Passed; Environmental Protection Administration: Comprehensive Enhancement of Management Efficiency

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, June 16) The Legislative Yuan passed the amendment to the Waste Disposal Act today. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) stated that this revision is centered on 'source responsibility, strengthened management, and environmental justice,' and through institutional improvements and technology-based enforcement, will comprehensively enhance waste management efficiency and build a more robust environmental governance system.

The Legislative Yuan today passed the partial amendment to the 'Waste Disposal Act.' In a press release, the EPA explained that this amendment not only aligns with the 'Resource Circulation Promotion Act' to establish a legal foundation for a circular economy but also comprehensively strengthens critical issues such as management of emerging waste, reuse systems, and prevention of environmental crimes, demonstrating the government's determination to promote resource circulation, uphold environmental justice, and protect the nation's environment.

The EPA outlined the key points of the amendment. First, the scope of managed recyclable waste is expanded from primarily household waste to include certain industrial wastes. The amendment also adds new categories of responsible businesses, such as those involved in renewable energy power generation equipment, and establishes their fee obligations.

In the future, manufacturers, importers, and installers will jointly bear the responsibility for recycling, collection, and disposal, fully implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and establishing a complete chain of responsibility management.

Additionally, the amendment consolidates the currently fragmented 'Industrial Waste Reuse Management Measures' scattered across various ministries, allowing the central competent authority to uniformly establish relevant management regulations. This includes establishing quality control for reused products, specifications for production processes and equipment, and product certification and verification systems. It also strengthens tracking of the flow of reused products and operational management mechanisms. Through unified management standards, the quality and market credibility of reused products will be improved, promoting the healthy development of the resource recycling industry.

The EPA noted that the amendment introduces technological enforcement tools such as electronic fencing and surveillance recording systems to enhance the ability to monitor waste flows. Illegal dumping can result in a maximum of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of up to NT$15 million. For crimes committed in environmentally sensitive areas, the penalty can be increased by half. The amendment also strengthens the recovery of illicit gains and environmental restoration responsibilities and allows for early initiation of provisional seizure procedures to prevent violators from hiding or transferring assets to evade liability.

The EPA stated that it will continue to promote the formulation and revision of related subordinate regulations and supporting measures, and through collaboration between central and local governments, industry guidance, and technological enforcement mechanisms, comprehensively enhance waste management efficiency, improve the resource circulation system, and jointly build a sustainable, safe, and resilient circular Taiwan. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150616