Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act 2025 No 22.

The Product Lifecycle Responsibility Act 2025 establishes a regulatory framework for product stewardship, assigning obligations to brand owners and product stewardship organisations to manage the environmental and health impacts of products throughout their lifecycle. The Act applies extraterritorially where relevant impacts affect New South Wales and defines key terms including “brand owner,” “supply,” and “regulated product.” The Act enables the creation of product stewardship schemes through regulation, which may prescribe lifecycle requirements and targets. The Minister may set targets by order, and non-compliance constitutes an offence subject to penalties. Brand owners must maintain records, notify the regulator of first supply, and submit annual reports. Product stewardship organisations are required to report quarterly and annually. Action plans may be mandated and must be approved by the regulator. Supply of regulated products must conform to approved action plans. The regulator may approve, amend, audit, or revoke action plans and conduct internal reviews of related decisions. Product stewardship organisations may enter into administration agreements with the regulator, which include enforceable provisions and financial arrangements. Non-compliance may result in penalties payable to the EPA. Financial assurances may be imposed to secure compliance. The regulator may recover costs from such assurances and initiate actions where obligations are unmet. Disputes regarding financial assurances fall under the jurisdiction of the Land and Environment Court. General offences include the provision of false or misleading information and ancillary offences. Proceedings may be initiated by the regulator, with evidentiary provisions facilitating enforcement. Appeals may be lodged against financial assurance conditions, and the Court’s determinations are final. Miscellaneous provisions address service of documents, exemptions, delegation of powers, personal liability protections, fees, and the maintenance of a public register.