On October 22-23, an informative training for relevant stakeholders and private sector on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was organized.
The training was aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders on the key benefits of EPR for society and industry, cooperation with the state, and the overall challenges of EPR implementation.
The training was organized within the framework of the programme by the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” SNCO of the Ministry of Environment. The theme of the workshop was "Developing National Capacity of the Republic of Armenia in Sound Chemicals and Waste Management for Implementation of the Stockholm, Basel, Rotterdam, Minamata Conventions and Strategic Approaches to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
Representatives of the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Healthcare, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Revenue Committee, Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, Health and Labor Inspection Body, Food Safety Inspectorate, Market Surveillance Inspection Body, Urban Development, Technical Standards and Fire Safety Inspectorate, Yerevan Municipality, the American University of Armenia, the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and non-governmental organizations.
During the workshop, international expert Kyriakos Parpounas presented an overview and thematic research on EPR in other countries, the principles of EPR, the main advantages for society and industry, different structural models, EPR as a key element of modern waste management.
The principles of sound chemicals and waste management are laid down in all strategic environmental and health programmes of the Republic of Armenia and are supported by the obligations assumed by the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam and Minamata Conventions.
The development of a unified system of operations that covers all stages of chemicals and waste use, including their production, export, import, storage, transportation, allocation, use and disposal is an important factor for the effective management of chemicals and waste.
According to the RA-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Armenian side has committed to introduce a system of extended producer responsibility by implementing appropriate legislative approximations in order to introduce a full cost compensation mechanism.