National Packaging Covenant & Used Packaging Materials NEPM

Used Packaging Materials NEPM

The goal of the Used Packaging Materials NEPM is to reduce environmental degradation arising from the disposal of used packaging and conserve virgin materials through the encouragement of re-use and recycling of used packaging materials by supporting and complementing the voluntary strategies in the National Packaging Covenant (Covenant).

The Covenant aims to ensure that all involved in the packaging chain play their part in reducing packaging waste. The NEPM ensures that participants in the Covenant are not unfairly disadvantaged in the market place.

The Covenant was extensively reviewed in 2004 and revised in response to the findings of the evaluations. A strengthened Covenant was released in July 2005. The Covenant incorporates requirements to achieve substantially improved performance by participants and will be in force until 2010.

Variation to the NEPM

In July 2005, the NEPC varied the NEPM to extend it to 2010. The variation will ensure consistency between the NEPM and the strengthened Covenant and provide for the continuation of an effective co-regulatory arrangement for the life of the Covenant.

The NEPC endorsed NEPM application thresholds on 26 October 2005. For clarification of these thresholds, download the NEPM application thresholds document below.

Information about the implementation of the NEPM can be found in NEPC Annual Reports.

National Packaging Covenant and Complementary Economic Mechanisms Study

The National Packaging Covenant provides for a mid-term review of the Covenant (which expires in 2010), to be undertaken by 31 December 2008. The review will be presented to the EPHC at its November 2008 meeting.

EPHC directed that work on complementary economic mechanisms be undertaken.Potential mechanisms are identified in the report National Packaging Covenant Complementary Economic Mechanisms Investigation. A review of the report is titled Peer Review of MMA/BDA Report on Complementary Economic Mechanisms. These documents can be downloaded below.