Summary
Details
- Singapore
Companies meeting the statutory criteria must:
Measure applicable packaging.
Submit packaging reports.
Prepare 3R plans.
Provide supporting documentation.
Track progress.
Retain records for five years.
Deep dive
- What’s Required
- 1. Determine whether the company is an obligated producer
- 2. Measure packaging introduced into Singapore
- 3. Submit an annual packaging report
- 4. Explain calculation methodology
- 5. Submit a 3R plan
- 6. Set KPIs and targets
- 7. Maintain supporting records
- 8. Use the Waste and Resource Management System
- 9. Avoid double counting
- Important Deadlines
- Current Status
- Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
- Resources
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What’s Required
1. Determine whether the company is an obligated producer
A company falls within the current scheme if it:
Carries on a business supplying regulated goods in Singapore.
Has annual turnover exceeding S$10 million.
Imports or uses specified packaging.
Affected companies can include:
Brand owners.
Manufacturers.
Importers.
Retailers.
Supermarkets.
2. Measure packaging introduced into Singapore
Companies must report specified packaging they import or use.
Required information includes:
Packaging material.
Packaging form.
Packaging weight.
Relevant materials include:
Plastic.
Paper.
Metal.
Glass.
Other specified packaging materials.
Packaging forms can include bottles, carrier bags, cartons, and other formats.
3. Submit an annual packaging report
An obligated producer must submit its packaging report by March 31 each year, unless NEA permits a later date.
The report covers packaging imported or used during the immediately preceding calendar year.
4. Explain calculation methodology
The annual report must explain how the company calculated:
Packaging materials.
Packaging weights.
Packaging forms.
Companies therefore need defensible data systems rather than broad estimates unsupported by records.
5. Submit a 3R plan
Companies must submit a plan covering actions to:
Reduce packaging.
Reuse packaging.
Recycle packaging.
Possible measures include:
Lightweighting packaging.
Removing unnecessary packaging.
Introducing reusable systems.
Collecting packaging for recycling.
Increasing recycled content.
Improving recyclability.
Consumer education.
6. Set KPIs and targets
3R plans must identify:
Key initiatives.
Key performance indicators.
Targets.
Companies subsequently report progress against their plans.
7. Maintain supporting records
Businesses must retain records related to packaging reports and 3R plans for five years.
8. Use the Waste and Resource Management System
Reports and 3R plans are submitted through Singapore’s Waste and Resource Management System, or WRMS.
9. Avoid double counting
Reporting focuses on the entity that actually introduces the additional packaging into Singapore.
For example, a manufacturer of packaged goods reports the packaging used for its products, rather than requiring the packaging manufacturer to report that same packaging again.
Retailers separately report service packaging that they introduce, such as applicable carrier bags.
Important Deadlines
2019: Resource Sustainability Act enacted.
2020: Resource Sustainability (Packaging Reporting) Regulations introduced.
2021: Businesses began collecting packaging information under the MPR framework.
2022: First annual reports were submitted.
March 31 annually: Packaging report and 3R plan deadline.
January 1 to March 31, 2026: Reporting window for calendar year 2025 packaging data and applicable 3R plans.
April 1, 2026: Singapore’s Beverage Container Return Scheme commenced as a separate EPR mechanism for eligible beverage containers.
Current Status
Active and legally binding.
Mandatory Packaging Reporting remains in force under Part 4 of the Resource Sustainability Act.
The current Resource Sustainability (Packaging Reporting) Regulations retain the S$10 million annual turnover threshold and annual March 31 reporting deadline.
Singapore’s packaging policy has also expanded beyond reporting. From April 2026, eligible beverage containers are subject to a separate deposit-return-based EPR system.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply can result in criminal penalties under the Resource Sustainability Act.
For certain failures involving NEA directions to rectify or resubmit reports or plans, or failure to retain required records:
First conviction: Fine of up to S$5,000.
Second or subsequent conviction: Fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Continuing offenses: An additional fine of up to S$1,000 per day, or part of a day, can apply after a subsequent conviction while the offense continues.
Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
Failing to determine obligated producer status.
Missing the March 31 reporting deadline.
Underreporting packaging weights.
Omitting imported packaging.
Incorrectly excluding service packaging.
Failing to submit a 3R plan.
Submitting a plan without measurable KPIs.
Failing to retain records for five years.
Ignoring an NEA direction to correct a report.
Failing to resubmit corrected information.
Double counting packaging within the supply chain.
Incorrectly claiming packaging is excluded because it is reusable.
Failing to update progress against previous 3R plans.
Using estimates without documented methodology.
Resources
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