Changes commencing to e-waste management on 1 July 2019

We have updated our guidance documents to reflect new e-waste management requirements from 1 July 2019 set by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Mandatory e-waste recycling is likely to affect Accredited Persons (APs) and installers, particularly those that undertake lighting upgrades and generate, transport, collect, store, handle or reprocess lighting equipment.

All program participants should understand and prepare to comply with operational and record keeping requirements set by the EPA.

Regulatory changes commencing on 1 July 2019

From 1 July 2019, every person must comply with the EPA’s Waste Management Policy, which is banning e-waste from landfill. 

The e-waste policy places operational and record keeping requirements on e-waste service providers, which is defined as any person who conducts a business or undertaking that accepts e-waste for collection, storage, handling, transport or reprocessing.  

There are additional record keeping requirements placed on those who transport and/or reprocess lighting equipment, as they are categorised as specified electronic waste.

The e-waste policy can be found at The Victorian Government Gazette website

We have updated VEU program guidance documents and forms to: 

• provide a general understanding of the requirements of EPA’s e-waste policy
• include provision of e-waste management practices as part of applying for accreditation or activity approval
• include a declaration of compliance with e-waste policy for VEEC assignment forms for lighting activities

Key updates have been made to the following documents:

APs must amend the above VEEC assignment forms by 1 August 2019. Assignment of rights by consumers for installations undertaken after this date must be made on the updated forms. You will not be required to submit updated VEEC assignment forms to us for approval. However, you must ensure that assignment occurs in the manner and form prescribed by us. Failure to use the correct assignment form for activities undertaken after 1 August 2019 may result in compliance action.

Where to get help

If you have any questions or feedback with respect to matters set out in this program update, please contact VEU Support on (03) 9032 1310 or veu@esc.vic.gov.au. 

For any questions on EPA’s requirements under the e-waste policy, please contact EPA on 1300 372 842 or contact@epa.vic.gov.au.