The Producer Responsibility & Shipments Database (PRSD) is being developed by the Agency to bring together the current digital systems used to register producers, compliance schemes and treatment facility operators under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and packaging waste regulations.
The system will also cover data submissions for businesses and organisations obligated under International Waste Shipments, waste batteries and end of life vehicles (ELVs) regulations. In total, the system is costing around £2.4 million to develop.
A target date of October 15 2014 had been identified by the Agency for the launch of the first phase of the system – which would have covered producer registration & application approval for compliance under the WEEE regulations in 2015.
Delay
However, a note sent to potential users on Monday (September 29) stated that the launch has now been pushed back so that the Agency can now consult with industry more closely on the system.
It stated: “During the early stages of development a number of challenges emerged that meant we did not have time to work collaboratively with industry and would have had to compromise on the quality and functionality of the system.
“The delay in the development will enable us to review the approach and technology options and work closely with industry, to ensure that the investment we are making will deliver the best possible service.”
Businesses and organisations required to register under the regulations will now be emailed a simplified electronic application form to do so, but the Agency has warned that any applications submitted via the Gov.uk website will not be accepted.
Commenting on the decision, James Champ, client account specialist at WEEE and packaging compliance scheme Budget Pack, said: “Considering the size of the project and its aim to bring greater efficiency to the producer registration system, we support the Environment Agency’s decision to delay the initial implementation of PSRD. Producers have already seen big changes in the way they report EEE and could see further disruption if the system is not fit for purpose.
“We believe that it is vital that industry is consulted throughout the process and we hope that through collaboration, any challenges can be overcome to future-proof the system.”
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