2010-2011

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

As passed by both Houses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product Stewardship Bill 2011

 

No.      , 2011

 

 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to provide a framework for reducing the environmental and other impacts of products, and for related purposes

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Introduction                                                                                                             1

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2

Division 2—Guide to this Act                                                                                    3

3............ Guide to this Act................................................................................. 3

Division 3—Objects of this Act and product stewardship criteria        7

4............ Objects of this Act.............................................................................. 7

5............ Product stewardship criteria................................................................ 8

Division 4—The Dictionary                                                                                        9

6............ The Dictionary.................................................................................... 9

Division 5—Application of this Act                                                                      13

7............ Act binds Crown............................................................................... 13

8............ Extension to external Territories........................................................ 13

9............ Relationship to State and Territory laws............................................ 13

Part 2—Voluntary product stewardship                                                                14

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                14

10.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 14

Division 2—Voluntary product stewardship                                                   15

11.......... Exercising rights in product stewardship logo in accordance with accredited voluntary arrangement      15

12.......... What is an accredited voluntary arrangement .................................. 15

13.......... Accreditation of voluntary arrangements........................................... 16

14.......... What is a product stewardship logo .................................................. 17

15.......... What are the Commonwealth’s intellectual property rights in a product stewardship logo      18

16.......... Commonwealth’s intellectual property rights not limited.................. 18

Part 3—Co-regulatory product stewardship                                                       20

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                20

17.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 20

Division 2—Requirements for liable parties and administrators of co-regulatory arrangements         22

Subdivision A—Requirement for liable party to be member of approved co-regulatory arrangement 22

18.......... Liable party to be member of approved co-regulatory arrangement... 22

19.......... Who is a liable party in relation to a class of products...................... 23

20.......... What is an approved co-regulatory arrangement ............................. 25

21.......... Outcomes for co-regulatory arrangements........................................ 25

22.......... Matters to be dealt with by co-regulatory arrangements.................... 26

Subdivision B—Requirements for administrators of approved co-regulatory arrangements   27

23.......... Administrator to achieve outcomes for co-regulatory arrangement... 27

Subdivision C—Requirements for liable parties and administrators          27

24.......... Requirements relating to record-keeping, giving information and reporting             27

Division 3—Approving co-regulatory arrangements                                29

25.......... Approving co-regulatory arrangements—application........................ 29

26.......... Approving co-regulatory arrangements—decision............................ 29

Division 4—Reviewing co-regulatory arrangements and cancelling approvals                31

27.......... Reviewing approved co-regulatory arrangements............................. 31

28.......... Cancelling approvals of co-regulatory arrangements......................... 31

Division 5—Enforcing approved co-regulatory arrangements            34

29.......... Improvement notices......................................................................... 34

30.......... Directed audits—general................................................................... 35

31.......... Directed audits—appointing auditor and carrying out audit.............. 35

Division 6—Other matters relating to co-regulatory product stewardship         36

32.......... Co-regulatory product stewardship—anti-avoidance........................ 36

33.......... Co-regulatory product stewardship—replacing administrator........... 37

34.......... Co-regulatory product stewardship—constitutional connection........ 38

35.......... Co-regulatory product stewardship—reading down provision for administrators    39

Part 4—Mandatory product stewardship                                                              40

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                40

36.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 40

Division 2—Mandatory product stewardship                                                41

37.......... Mandatory product stewardship requirements may be specified in regulations        41

38.......... Contravening mandatory product stewardship requirements............. 43

39.......... Mandatory product stewardship—satisfying product stewardship criteria and furthering objects etc.     43

40.......... Mandatory product stewardship—constitutional connection............. 45

Part 5—Enforcing this Act                                                                                              46

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                46

41.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 46

Division 2—Civil penalty provisions                                                                   47

Subdivision A—Obtaining a civil penalty order                                               47

42.......... Civil penalty orders........................................................................... 47

43.......... Maximum amount of pecuniary penalty............................................ 48

44.......... Involvement in contravening civil penalty provision......................... 49

45.......... Civil enforcement of penalty............................................................. 49

46.......... Conduct contravening more than one civil penalty provision............ 49

47.......... Multiple contraventions..................................................................... 50

48.......... Proceedings may be heard together................................................... 50

49.......... Civil evidence and procedure rules for civil penalty orders............... 50

50.......... Contravening a civil penalty provision is not an offence................... 50

Subdivision B—Civil liability of executive officers of bodies corporate   51

51.......... Civil liability of executive officer of body corporate......................... 51

52.......... Reasonable steps to prevent contravention........................................ 52

Subdivision C—Civil proceedings and criminal proceedings                       53

53.......... Civil proceedings after criminal proceedings..................................... 53

54.......... Criminal proceedings during civil proceedings................................. 53

55.......... Criminal proceedings after civil proceedings..................................... 53

56.......... Evidence given in civil proceedings not admissible in criminal proceedings            54

Subdivision D—Miscellaneous                                                                               54

57.......... Mistake of fact.................................................................................. 54

58.......... State of mind..................................................................................... 55

59.......... Continuing contraventions................................................................ 55

Division 3—Publicising offences, contraventions and decisions           57

60.......... Minister may publicise certain offences, contraventions and decisions 57

Division 4—Enforceable undertakings                                                              59

61.......... Acceptance of undertakings.............................................................. 59

62.......... Enforcement of undertakings............................................................ 59

Division 5—Injunctions                                                                                              61

63.......... Injunctions........................................................................................ 61

64.......... Granting interim injunctions.............................................................. 61

65.......... Discharging or varying injunctions................................................... 62

66.......... Certain limits on granting injunctions not to apply............................ 62

Part 6—Compliance powers                                                                                           63

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                63

67.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 63

Division 2—Powers of inspectors                                                                          64

Subdivision A—Appointment of inspectors                                                        64

68.......... Minister may appoint inspectors....................................................... 64

69.......... Identity cards..................................................................................... 65

70.......... Offence for failing to return identity card.......................................... 65

Subdivision B—Powers of inspectors                                                                   66

71.......... Purposes for which powers can be used........................................... 66

72.......... Inspection powers—with consent..................................................... 66

73.......... Refusing consent is not an offence.................................................... 67

74.......... Inspection powers—with warrant..................................................... 67

75.......... Announcement before entry under warrant....................................... 68

76.......... Copy of warrant to be given to occupier........................................... 68

77.......... Occupier entitled to observe execution of warrant............................. 69

78.......... Occupier to provide inspector with facilities and assistance.............. 69

Subdivision C—General provisions relating to seizure                                  69

79.......... Copies of seized things to be provided.............................................. 69

80.......... Receipts for things seized.................................................................. 70

81.......... Return of seized things...................................................................... 70

82.......... Magistrate may permit a thing to be retained..................................... 71

83.......... Disposal if thing cannot be returned.................................................. 72

Subdivision D—Applying for warrants to enter premises                              72

84.......... Ordinary warrants............................................................................. 72

85.......... Warrants by telephone, fax etc.......................................................... 73

86.......... Signed form of warrant not produced in evidence............................. 75

Subdivision E—Powers of magistrates                                                                75

87.......... Federal Magistrates—consent to nomination.................................... 75

88.......... Powers of magistrates....................................................................... 76

Division 3—Information gathering powers                                                     77

89.......... Meaning of person who has product stewardship information ........ 77

90.......... Minister may require a person to provide information...................... 77

91.......... Minister may require a person to appear before an inspector............ 78

Part 7—Reviewing decisions                                                                                          80

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                80

92.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 80

Division 2—Reviewing decisions                                                                           81

93.......... Persons affected by reviewable decisions......................................... 81

94.......... Notification of decisions and review rights....................................... 82

95.......... Internal review.................................................................................. 82

96.......... Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal................ 83

Part 8—Protecting information                                                                                    84

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                84

97.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 84

Division 2—Protecting information                                                                     85

98.......... Offence—Disclosing commercially sensitive information................ 85

99.......... Authorised disclosures...................................................................... 85

100........ Disclosing commercially sensitive information to courts and tribunals etc.              87

Part 9—Miscellaneous                                                                                                        88

Division 1—Guide to this Part                                                                                88

101........ Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 88

Division 2—Miscellaneous                                                                                        89

102........ General requirements for making applications.................................. 89

103........ Applications—requesting additional information.............................. 89

104........ Privilege against self-incrimination not affected................................ 90

105........ Compensation for damage to electronic equipment........................... 90

106........ Compensation for acquisition of property......................................... 91

107........ Annual report.................................................................................... 91

108........ Publishing material about arrangements............................................ 92

108A..... Publishing material about products being considered for accreditation or regulation under this Act        92

108B..... Product Stewardship Advisory Group.............................................. 93

109........ Review of operation of this Act........................................................ 94

110........ Delegation......................................................................................... 94

111........ Regulations....................................................................................... 95

Schedule 1—Product Stewardship Advisory Group               96

1............ Membership of Advisory Group...................................................... 96

2............ Appointment of members of Advisory Group (other than the Chair) 96

3............ Appointment of Chair of Advisory Group........................................ 97

4............ Remuneration.................................................................................... 98

5............ Leave of absence............................................................................... 98

6............ Procedures of Advisory Group......................................................... 98

7............ Disclosure of interests to the Minister............................................... 98

8............ Disclosure of interests to the Advisory Group.................................. 99

9............ Resignation....................................................................................... 99

10.......... Termination of appointment............................................................ 100

11.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................. 100

 

A Bill for an Act to provide a framework for reducing the environmental and other impacts of products, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Schedule 1 — Product Stewardship Advisory Group

Note:       See subsection 108B(3).

   

   

1   Membership of Advisory Group

             (1)  The Advisory Group consists of the following members:

                     (a)  at least 5, and no more than 9, members appointed under clause 2;

                     (b)  a Chair appointed under clause 3.

             (2)  The performance of the functions of the Advisory Group is not affected by reason only of the number of Advisory Group members falling below 6 for a period of not more than 6 months.

2   Appointment of members of Advisory Group (other than the Chair)

             (1)  An Advisory Group member (other than the Chair) is to be appointed by the Minister, by written instrument, on a part-time basis.

Note:          The Chair of the Advisory Group is appointed under clause 3.

             (2)  A person must not be appointed under this clause unless the Minister is satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications, knowledge or experience.

             (3)  Before appointing a person under this clause, the Minister must consult with:

                     (a)  one or more groups from among each of the following:

                              (i)  groups with technical and scientific expertise;

                             (ii)  industry and business groups;

                            (iii)  environmental groups;

                            (iv)  consumer groups;

                             (v)  groups representing local government interests; and

                     (b)  State and Territory governments.

             (4)  An Advisory Group member appointed under this clause holds office for the period specified in his or her instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 3 years.

Note:          For reappointment, see the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .

3   Appointment of Chair of Advisory Group

             (1)  The Minister must appoint a person (other than an Advisory Group member appointed under clause 2) as the Chair of the Advisory Group, by written instrument, on a part-time basis.

             (2)  A person must not be appointed as the Chair of the Advisory Group unless the Minister is satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications, knowledge or experience.

             (3)  The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint an Advisory Group member to act as the Chair:

                     (a)  during a vacancy in the office of Chair (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

                     (b)  during any period, or during all periods, when the Chair:

                              (i)  is absent from duty or from Australia; or

                             (ii)  is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

Example:    The Chair would be unable to perform the duties of the office if required not to be present during a deliberation by the Advisory Group, and not to take part in any decision of the Advisory Group, under subclause 8(4) or (5) (disclosure of interests to Advisory Group).

             (4)  Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment is not invalid merely because:

                     (a)  the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or

                     (b)  there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or

                     (c)  the appointment had ceased to have effect; or

                     (d)  the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.

4   Remuneration

             (1)  An Advisory Group member is to be paid the remuneration and allowances (if any) that are prescribed by the regulations.

             (2)  The office of an Advisory Group member is not a public office within the meaning of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 .

5   Leave of absence

             (1)  The Chair of the Advisory Group may grant leave of absence to another Advisory Group member on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines.

             (2)  The Minister may grant leave of absence to the Chair of the Advisory Group on the terms and conditions that the Minister determines.

6   Procedures of Advisory Group

             (1)  The Advisory Group may determine the way in which it is to perform its function (including when and where it meets and procedures to be followed in relation to its meetings).

             (2)  However, subclause (1) applies subject to any written directions given to the Advisory Group by the Minister for the purposes of this subsection.

             (3)  The Minister must not give directions under subclause (2) about the content of any advice that may be given to the Minister by the Advisory Group.

             (4)  A direction given under subclause (2) is not a legislative instrument.

7   Disclosure of interests to the Minister

                   An Advisory Group member must give written notice to the Minister of all interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that the member has or acquires and that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions.

8   Disclosure of interests to the Advisory Group

             (1)  An Advisory Group member who has an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the Advisory Group must disclose the nature of the interest to a meeting of the Advisory Group.

             (2)  The disclosure must be made as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member’s knowledge.

             (3)  The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Group.

             (4)  Unless the Advisory Group otherwise determines, the Advisory Group member:

                     (a)  must not be present during any deliberation by the Advisory Group on the matter; and

                     (b)  must not take part in any decision of the Advisory Group with respect to the matter.

             (5)  For the purposes of making a determination under subclause (4), the Advisory Group member:

                     (a)  must not be present during any deliberation of the Advisory Group for the purpose of making the determination; and

                     (b)  must not take part in making the determination.

             (6)  A determination under subclause (4) must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Group.

9   Resignation

             (1)  An Advisory Group member may resign his or her appointment by giving the Minister a written resignation.

             (2)  The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.

10   Termination of appointment

                   The Minister may terminate the appointment of an Advisory Group member:

                     (a)  for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity; or

                     (b)  if the member:

                              (i)  becomes bankrupt; or

                             (ii)  applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or

                            (iii)  compounds with his or her creditors; or

                            (iv)  makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or

                     (c)  if the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Advisory Group; or

                     (d)  if the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with clause 7 (disclosure of interests to the Minister) or 8 (disclosure of interests to the Advisory Group).

11   Other terms and conditions

                   An Advisory Group member holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Minister.