Less that 15% of suppliers have complied with the Extended Producer Responsibility certification. RETAILERS have cautioned of a potential shortage of essential commodities and rising prices as enforcement of new waste management rules gathers pace. They have warned that the supply chain is not ready for full compliance set for end of May.
This is under the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024, being implemented by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Under the new rules, producers, importers and other players in the value chain must take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste.
However, industry players say low compliance levels, particularly among suppliers, could disrupt supply, especially in plastic-heavy categories such as beverages, personal care and household goods. “We are seeing supply pressure in plastic-heavy categories such as beverages, personal care, household goods if suppliers are not compliant by the end of the period given by NEMA, end of May,” the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) CEO, Wambui Mbarire, said.
If enforcement outpaces readiness, RETRAK says retailers may be forced to reject goods from non-compliant suppliers, leading to stock gaps and reduced product variety on shelves. “Retailers are also facing operational strain as they are now required to verify supplier compliance, yet they are not the primary obligated parties under EPR,” Mbarire told the Star.
According to RETRAK, compliance remains at an early stage, with fewer than 15 per cent of suppliers having secured Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification. While larger manufacturers have made progress, many small and medium enterprises are still catching up, with some only recently becoming aware of the regulations.
This uneven transition risks sidelining SMEs and disrupting supply chains, as a significant number of suppliers remain mid-transition—still registering, affiliating with Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), or aligning packaging to meet requirements.