Japan International Cooperation Agency

DISCUSSION REGARDING PILOT PROJECT

Date: 18 May 2023
Venue: Bilik Melati, Bahagian Penguatkuasaan

The discussion was attended by representatives from the Hazardous Substances Division, DOE Headquarters and JICA. The purpose of the discussion is to finalize the participants of the pilot project which consists of the collection centers, partial and full e-waste recovery facilities.

DISCUSSION PLAN OF ACTIVITIES DURING JICA EXPERT TEAM DISPATCH DURATION MAY-JUNE 2023

Date: 16 May 2023
Venue: Bilik Rafflesia, Bahagian Air dan Marin

The discussion was attended by representatives from Hazardous Substances Division, DOE Headquarters and JICA. Plan of activities during dispatch duration May-June 2023 was agreed as below: –

  1. Preparation for the pilot project including finalizing the E-Manifest System
  2. Finalization of User Requirement System (URS) for the Integrated E-waste Data Management System
  3. Capacity building for DOE Officers

FIRST MEETING OF TASKFORCE 4: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTE
(RECYCLING FUND MANAGEMENT MECHANISM)
Date: 13 December 2022
Venue: Anggerik Meeting Room

The first taskforce 4 meeting was held under the JICA Technical Cooperation Project (TC3).

Members of the taskforce 4 consist of representatives from each taskforce and relevant government agencies.

The Chairperson Ms. Nor Hamirah binti Mahayudin from Administration & Finance Division of DOE briefly introduced the background of the TC3 including the establishment of four draft guidelines in TC2, as well as the objectives of the TC3. She also shared the drafted scheduled E-waste regulation which emphasizes the concept of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and shared responsibility among its stakeholders.

In the meeting, questions and concerns on timelines and procedures for the establishment of fund management body were raised, and several possible options were shared and discussed among the members.

At the end of the meeting, the chairperson concluded that the taskforce 4 prepares a few options of fund management entity including the expected timeline, pros and cons, and the establishment procedures of each option to be discussed further in a workshop planned to be held in February 2023.

FIRST MEETING OF TASKFORCE 3: MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCERS AND IMPORTERS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (EPR)
Date: 13 December 2022
Venue: Anggerik Meeting Room

The first taskforce 3 meeting was held under the JICA Technical Cooperation Project (TC3).

Members of the taskforce 3 consist of the representatives from Chambers of Commerce and Industry of each country and associations of manufactures and importers, who are expected to provide constructive opinions from the standpoint of manufactures and importers of the targeted 6 e-appliances (TV, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, personal computer, and mobile phone).

The chairperson Mr. Mohd Shahrin bin Mudzarap @ Mansor from Hazardous Substances Division of DOE briefly introduced the background of the TC3 including the establishment of four draft guidelines in TC2, as well as the objectives of the TC3. He also shared the drafted scheduled E-waste regulation which emphasizes the concept of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and shared responsibility among its stakeholders.

In the meeting, questions and concerns on fair responsibility among manufactures and importers, including the responsibility for the targeted products purchased online by consumer was raised. Also, importance of both regulatory framework and incentives was shared, and the importance of awareness rising on E-waste management mechanism by all relevant stakeholders, not just DOE, including manufactures and importers was emphasized. In addition, necessity of update recycling cost by reflecting the maturation of plastic recycling market, increase of logistic cost and market price of recyclables was explained.

At the end of the meeting, the chairperson requested members to provide their inputs and comments to the secretariat, where the issues raised by the members will be further discussed in the next taskforce 3 meeting.

TASKFORCE 1 – MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTE COLLECTION
Date: 24 November 2022

The first taskforce 1: Management of E-Waste Collection meeting under the JICA Technical Cooperation Project (TC3) entitled The Project for Implementation of Scheduled E-Waste Management System in Malaysia was held on 24 November 2022 via hybrid (physical and online).

Members of the taskforce 1 consist of E-waste collection center both from public and private sectors including retailers, NGOs and local governments.

The Chairperson Ms. Shafariza binti Shamsudin from Hazardous Substances Division, DOE briefly introduced the background of the TC3 including the establishment of four draft guidelines in TC2, as well as the objectives of the TC3. She informed that a regulation on e-waste has been drafted which emphasizes the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and shared responsibility among its stakeholders. The chairperson remarked the importance of constructive inputs for the finalization of the E-waste collection guideline towards a successful implementation of E-waste management mechanism in Malaysia.

In the meeting, members have requested some clarification on matters pertaining to:

  1.  e-waste collection and subsidy based on the logistics or transportation distance in rural area;
  2. difference in the cost structure for 4 bulky e-wastes item (televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and air-conditioners) and 2 IT e-wastes (computers/mobile phones);
  3. secondhand market of e-appliance; and
  4. conditions for subsidy entitlement.

In conclusion, the meeting agreed that all inputs and comments from the taskforce members would be taken into consideration and further discussed in a workshop planned to be held in February 2023.

TASKFORCE 2 – MANAGEMENT OF SCHEDULED E-WASTE RECYCLING
Date: 28 June 2022

Department of Environment (DOE) is conducting a technical cooperation project entitled “The Project for Implementation of Scheduled E-Waste Management System in Malaysia” with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) starting from 2021 to 2024. In order to achieve the objective and output of the project, four (4) taskforces has been established.

The first Taskforce 2: Management of Scheduled E-Waste Recycling meeting was held on 28 June 2022 via hybrid (physical and online). Members of the taskforce 2 consist of licensed recovery facility and relevant government agencies.

The Chairperson Ms. Thahirah Kamarulzaman from Hazardous Substance Division, DOE briefly introduced the background and objectives of the TC3 and highlight the importance of the taskforce committee to discuss and gather inputs towards the finalization of the Recycling Guidelines.

In the meeting, members has requested some clarification on matters pertaining to the mechanism and guideline such as recycling rate calculation, treatment of focused (hazardous) materials, business sustainability, licensing under the new regulation, logistic cost and subsidy, as well as repair and reuse of e-waste.

Next Taskforce 2 meeting is schedule to be held in September with the main discussion points on focused materials and recycling rate for each item.