EPR Compliance in 2026: A Roadmap for Electronics Logistics

The South African electronics market is undergoing a shift, from a linear model where products are sold and forgotten, to a circular system that requires long-term accountability. As we move into 2026, the enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under Section 18 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) has become more than a regulatory formality for electronic logistics. It is now a fully enforced compliance obligation for electronics producers and importers. 

For companies placing electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) onto the South African market, the message from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is clear: you are legally responsible for your products even after they reach the end of their life cycle.

What Section 18 of The Waste Act Means in Practice

The Section 18 amendments require importers, producers, and brand owners of electronics to take both financial and operational responsibility for managing their products once they become waste. This includes the collection, recycling, or environmentally sound disposal of items such as computers, monitors, printers, fridges, and other consumer and industrial electronics.

Since November 2021, EPR regulations have required producers of EEE to register with the DFFE and either join a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) or establish an independent EPR scheme. As of 2026, grace periods are over, and producers are expected to meet annual collection and recycling targets as gazetted by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Non-compliance is a legal offence and can result in penalties including fines, imprisonment, or suspension of trading rights, as outlined in the Waste Act and accompanying regulations.

Why 2026 Is a Critical Turning Point

2026 represents a significant enforcement milestone. Under the DFFE’s published norms, the required percentage of product weight to be recovered or recycled is increasing annually. This makes passive compliance through fee payments alone insufficient.

Importers face two main challenges:

1. Electronic logistics complexity: Unlike distribution, which is centralised and volume-driven, e-waste collection is fragmented and costly to manage, especially in rural or under-resourced areas.

2. Proof of compliance: It is no longer enough to hand over waste to a recycling vendor. The DFFE requires verifiable reporting, traceability, and evidence that materials are processed by licensed, compliant facilities using environmentally sound management (ESM) methods.

Many businesses find themselves unprepared for these new demands. Handling reverse logistics internally stretches operations, increases costs, and introduces risk. Especially where brand protection and environmental reputation are concerned.

A Smarter Way to Manage Producer Responsibility

This is where Antel Solutions offers a clear advantage. As a South African reverse logistics and waste recovery specialist, we help electronics importers meet their EPR obligations without disrupting their core operations.

Through our national infrastructure and tailored reverse logistics systems, we assist clients with:

• Product uplift and sorting: We manage the physical retrieval of e-waste from retailers, warehouses, and collection points, with careful sorting into recyclable and non-recyclable streams.

• Debranding and de-manufacturing: For brand-sensitive goods, we ensure that logos, packaging, and other proprietary identifiers are removed before resale, donation, or recycling.

• Material recovery: Working with licensed recyclers, we enable the recovery of valuable materials such as copper, aluminium, plastics, and rare metals, reducing environmental harm while offsetting compliance costs.

• Compliance reporting: Our systems generate transparent records for EPR compliance audits, helping clients demonstrate their fulfilment of Section 18 requirements to the DFFE.

Turning Compliance Into a Strategic Advantage

EPR compliance might begin as a legal requirement, but forward-thinking businesses are now using it to build consumer trust and unlock financial returns.

South African consumers are becoming more environmentally aware. A reverse logistics program that facilitates returns, recycling, and responsible disposal is a powerful way to communicate this commitment.

At the same time, efficient reverse logistics unlocks hidden value. E-waste often contains reusable components or high-value materials. By recovering these before they enter the waste stream, businesses can transition from a compliance mindset to one of value recovery.

Why Choose Antel Solutions

At Antel Solutions, we are not just service providers. we are compliance partners. We work across sectors to design practical, cost-effective EPR strategies that align with South African legislation and on-the-ground realities.

Our team understands the complexities of the electronics supply chain. Whether you need to prepare for an audit, scale up your EPR response, or simply reduce your environmental risk, we provide the infrastructure and reporting you need.