Lao PDR

Existing Regulations Related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Although Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) does not have any dedicated legislation focused on EPR,  waste management in the country is governed by the Environmental Protection Law 2012. This law stipulates that individuals uphold responsibility for preserving the natural environment, including through waste segregation based on its treatment purposes such as recycling, reuse, reprocessing into new products, or disposal. Article 23 of the law also mandates households with business operations that involve activities such as waste disposal to devise plans to mitigate negative impacts on the social and natural environment. In addition to this, the Process Manufacturing Law 2013 also laid out the responsibilities of the industry sector in implementing environmental protection measures for their operations. Industries must control pollution from wastewater, air, solid waste, and noise to meet environmental standards before discharge.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s (MoNRE) Vision toward 2030 included actions for waste management as part of its Natural Resources and Environment Strategy 2016-2025, with the aim of achieving  a clean and beautiful Lao PDR. These objectives include reducing municipal waste generation by 30% nationwide, implementing waste segregation in 50% of households in the municipalities in the six priority provinces and along National Road 13, and establishing an effective and efficient waste collection system in main roads, public areas, and key tourist areas.

The National Green Growth Strategy of the Lao PDR till 2030 promotes the improvement of the waste management system through initiatives such as awareness raising about waste segregation and constructing supporting infrastructure, particularly landfills. Furthermore, the strategy also seeks to improve financial mechanisms to provide facilities to industrial factory entrepreneurs, including investments in waste recycling facilities.

Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Lao PDR.

Policies, Plans, and Regulations

Promulgation Date

Status

Environmental Protection Law 2012

18 December 2012

In effect

Process Manufacturing Law 2013

28 January 2014

In effect

Natural Resources and Environment Strategy 2016-2025

1 May 2015

In effect

National Green Growth Strategy of the Lao PDR till 2030

1 December 2018

In effect

Status of EPR Policy Development

Currently, Lao PDR does not have any plans to introduce legislation related to EPR.

Lao PDR

Existing Regulations Related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Although Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) does not have any dedicated legislation focused on EPR,  waste management in the country is governed by the Environmental Protection Law 2012. This law stipulates that individuals uphold responsibility for preserving the natural environment, including through waste segregation based on its treatment purposes such as recycling, reuse, reprocessing into new products, or disposal. Article 23 of the law also mandates households with business operations that involve activities such as waste disposal to devise plans to mitigate negative impacts on the social and natural environment. In addition to this, the Process Manufacturing Law 2013 also laid out the responsibilities of the industry sector in implementing environmental protection measures for their operations. Industries must control pollution from wastewater, air, solid waste, and noise to meet environmental standards before discharge.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s (MoNRE) Vision toward 2030 included actions for waste management as part of its Natural Resources and Environment Strategy 2016-2025, with the aim of achieving  a clean and beautiful Lao PDR. These objectives include reducing municipal waste generation by 30% nationwide, implementing waste segregation in 50% of households in the municipalities in the six priority provinces and along National Road 13, and establishing an effective and efficient waste collection system in main roads, public areas, and key tourist areas.

The National Green Growth Strategy of the Lao PDR till 2030 promotes the improvement of the waste management system through initiatives such as awareness raising about waste segregation and constructing supporting infrastructure, particularly landfills. Furthermore, the strategy also seeks to improve financial mechanisms to provide facilities to industrial factory entrepreneurs, including investments in waste recycling facilities.

Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations related to EPR for packaging in Lao PDR.

Policies, Plans, and Regulations

Promulgation Date

Status

Environmental Protection Law 2012

18 December 2012

In effect

Process Manufacturing Law 2013

28 January 2014

In effect

Natural Resources and Environment Strategy 2016-2025

1 May 2015

In effect

National Green Growth Strategy of the Lao PDR till 2030

1 December 2018

In effect

Status of EPR Policy Development

Currently, Lao PDR does not have any plans to introduce legislation related to EPR.