Co-regulatory arrangements - NTCRS

The following organisations deliver television and computer recycling services under the government approved co-regulatory arrangements for the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS).

Approved co-regulatory arrangements

Previously approved co-regulatory arrangement

Electronics Product Stewardship Australasia Pty Limited (EPSA)

• EPSA applied to have its approval as a co-regulatory arrangement cancelled. Their approval was subsequently cancelled on 30 June 2021.

MRI PSO Pty Ltd

• In September 2019, the department issued MRI PSO Pty Ltd (MRI PSO) with an improvement notice following MRI PSO’s failure to meet scheme outcomes in the 2016–17 and 2017-18 financial years.
• A review of MRI PSO's operations as an approved co regulatory arrangement was completed on 30 November 2020. The department has now finalised the findings of this review.
• Under s87 of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 (Cth)(Act) the co-regulatory arrangement administered by MRI PSO Pty Ltd (MRI PSO) was cancelled on 15 April 2021.

Outcomes to be achieved

Co-regulatory arrangements are expected to achieve three key outcomes:

• provision of reasonable access to collection services in metropolitan, regional and remote areas
• annual recycling targets
• a material recovery target

Co-regulator responsibilities

Meet standards

Co-regulatory arrangements are expected to only undertake recycling at facilities that are certified to AS 5377 the Australian Standard for the collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.

This will ensure:

• a consistent industry standard for recycling scheme providers
• positive work health and safety outcomes.

Provide reasonable access

Approved co-regulatory arrangements must provide reasonable access to collection services as outlined in legislation.

This means that around 98 per cent of the population will have reasonable access to collection services. To provide flexibility to suit local circumstances and ensure consistency with the co-regulatory nature of the scheme, a collection service can take a variety of forms including:

• a permanent collection site at a local waste transfer station or retail outlet
• a one-off event.

Meet recycling targets

Annual targets for recycling are set in the Rules.

Each co-regulatory arrangement is responsible for achieving their member’s share of the scheme’s targets.

Meet material recovery targets

A material recovery target of 90 per cent is set in the Rules.

This target requires each co-regulatory arrangement to ensure that at least 90 per cent of the weight of material they recycle in the financial year is sent for further processing into useable materials.

Provide annual reports

Approved co-regulatory arrangements are required to provide independently audited, annual reports to the department. These reports are published by the department. Co-regulatory arrangements report on their role as day-to-day administrators of the scheme, including:

• membership details
• collection and storage of products
• product recycling
• product export
• details on contracted service providers
• details of any environmental or work, health and safety actions.

The department publishes reports in the form provided by arrangement administrators. The information contained in them does not reflect the Department’s views on the operation of the arrangements.

For 2020-21, only two reports are published as Electronic Product Stewardship Australasia (EPSA) requested voluntary cancellation to take effect on 30 June 2021and MRI PSO Pty Ltd were cancelled as a co-regulatory arrangement on 15 April 2021.

• Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform Limited - Annual Report 2020-21
• Ecycle Solutions - Annual Report 2020-21
• More annual reports

Co-regulatory membership

If you are a liable party and need to join one of these arrangements, contact them directly for information about membership services and fees. Find out how to calculate recycling target.

Become a co-regulator

If you are interested in seeking approval for a new co-regulatory arrangement, please contact the Television and Computer Regulation Team by emailing ewaste@environment.gov.au or calling 1800 332 783.