News & Events

GlobalPSC News – January 2015

Looking back on 2014 and looking forward to 2015
2014 saw a range of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs being refined and rationalized, as well as a shift in some producers’ attitudes towards regulation.

Stewards’ efforts in Canada continue to help ensure more nationally consistent EPR schemes (EPRA for electronics and CSSA for packaging) that are intended to improve administrative efficiencies and create opportunities for reducing compliance costs. Another significant Canadian development has been the first proposed competitive stewardship organization for packaging and printed paper.

One issue that saw significant movement in 2014 is an increased willingness from certain producers to seek regulatory underpinnings (including EPR) that provide greater protection against free riders, such as model legislation in the US for batteries. Some producers however, such as US carpet producers, have taken steps to specifically oppose EPR. The GlobalPSC is tracking this issue closely and collaborating with our members and other interested parties to understand such issues and share insights (as in early November’s webinar on US and Australian developments for batteries).

Broader consideration of product stewardship as part of discussions on a circular economy may have taken a hit in 2014 when the European Commission withdrew its circular economy proposals. However, a range of related discussions are ongoing and we are likely to see proposals revisited in a year or so.

Early indications are that we are likely to see expanded electronics recycling programs in South America and Africa and a continues increase in assessment, regulation and reporting of chemicals worldwide.

As we enter 2015 and our fifth year of existence, the GlobalPSC has been reviewing our strategic approaches and working even more closely with our members to ensure mutual benefit. We now have over 60 GlobalPSC members spanning industries, governments at federal, state/provincial and local levels as well as others. These members have headquarters or facilities in 12 countries and operate globally. We have also exceeded 1,200 members in the GlobalPSC’s LinkedIn group.

One of our 2014 initiatives was to seek nominations from our members and establish the GlobalPSC Advisory Group, comprising internationally renowned experts on product stewardship and EPR programs and policies. The Advisory Group provided independent perspectives on GlobalPSC submissions to governments in Nova Scotia and New Zealand, and will regularly be consulted on GlobalPSC issues under consideration. With our recent appointment of two additional experts, the GlobalPSC Advisory Group now includes 11 members from 6 countries with expertise across a broad range of products and materials.

In late 2014, the GlobalPSC Executive Committee and CEO undertook a critical review across all of our activities to date and developed the GlobalPSC Vision, Mission and Goals to help guide our efforts. In consultation with the GlobalPSC Advisory Group and our members, a detailed strategic plan is also under development to help ensure value for GlobalPSC members and sustainable growth for our organization.

New GlobalPSC Members and Member Profiles

• Orora Limited (North America and Australasia)
• Innes & Company LLC (USA)
• National E-Waste Alliance (Australia)

Member profiles and program updates are available here.

Events Update

The Global Product Stewardship Council is presenting at or participating in the following events:

• World CSR Congress, 17-18 February 2015 in Mumbai, India
• Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum, 25-26 February 2015 in Brussels, Belgium
• Conference on Canadian Stewardship, 30 September–2 October 2015 in Banff, Canada

At these events, we will be promoting the involvement of GlobalPSC members and our activities.

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