Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad has met with the House of Representatives’ energy and environment committee, to review the draft executive regulations for the Waste Law No 202 of 2020.
The meeting came in preparation for the law’s issuance after the Egyptian cabinet gave its approval of the final draft by, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday.
Fouad praised the efforts of the energy and environment, and local administration committees in preparing the law, and completing the process in preparing the executive regulations regulating the articles of the law.
The minister stressed that it avoids separating local problems from global crises during the process of preparing for the regulation. This is in a way that ensures the absence of a legislative gap between the legal text and the international commitment.
The philosophy that was adopted in preparing the law and the regulation was based on the idea of transforming Egypt into a green economy. It also takes into account the principle that everyone is partners in preparing and implementing the law.
Fouad explained that the law regulating waste management and its executive regulations is set to eliminate more than 50 years of legislative vacuum regarding waste management.
The minister added that the executive regulation discussed the most accurate details of the waste management process. It also took into account all the problems and concerns that were highlighted by members of the House of Representatives during the consultations. The regulation is also working towards finding solutions to these problems and concerns, to avoid any gaps in the future.
She further noted that the regulation is more comprehensive and includes details for all matters, whether received or not in the articles of the law. The regulation is flexible, so that it can cope with any challenges that may arise in the future.
Fouad added that there is a set of terms that have been included in the law and the regulation to activate its work. These include the term “extended responsibility for the product”, which will see the manufacturer bear the responsibility of the product until it is safely disposed of, as well as the principle of “polluter pays the price”.
The law and the regulation include seven articles detailing the economic tools provided to attract investment in the field of waste. This includes ways to empower the private sector so that the environment is not an obstacle to investment.
