Small retailers with problems clearing non-BCRS stock may apply for 1-month extension: NEA
Non-profit organisations will also have the grace period, provided that they register with NEA by Sept 30.
Small retailers with non-BCRS stock may apply for a one-month extension, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA), as reported on September 18. The BCRS mandates that all plastic bottles and cans with a 150ml to 3-litre volume must carry a 10-cent deposit mark from October 1. Failure to comply could result in fines up to $10,000 and up to three months in jail.
NEA acknowledged that some small retailers might need additional time to clear existing non-BCRS-labelled beverages. Small retailers with genuine difficulties clearing their stock can register with NEA by September 30 for a grace period until October 31. Non-profit organisations will also be permitted to distribute donated unlabelled bottles and cans to beneficiaries by October 31, provided they register with NEA by September 30.
BCRS was launched on April 1 with a six-month transition for producers and retailers to clear old, unlabelled stock by October 1. This decision was made after considering industry feedback, and NEA is prepared to offer a grace period up to October 31 for small retailers who have made genuine efforts to deplete their existing stock of non-BCRS-labelled beverages.
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