The Chilean Ministry of the Environment published Supreme Decree No. 22 establishing mandatory collection and recovery targets for batteries and electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) under Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework established by Law No. 20.920.

The regulation imposes obligations on producers and importers to organize and finance waste management systems for products placed on the Chilean market, including collection, storage, transport, and recycling activities. The decree establishes progressive recovery and valorization targets for several categories of electronic products and batteries, including specific provisions for photovoltaic panels and temperature exchange equipment.

Additionally, the regulation introduces territorial coverage obligations and operational requirements for waste reception points and management systems, aiming to improve nationwide access to electronic waste collection infrastructure. The decree also supports the development of circular economy practices by promoting recycling, reuse, and material recovery while reducing landfill disposal of electronic waste.

The new framework is expected to significantly impact manufacturers, importers, recyclers, and waste management operators, requiring investments in compliance systems, reverse logistics, and recycling infrastructure across Chile.

This represents a medium-impact regulatory development, as Chile establishes binding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations and mandatory collection and recycling targets for batteries and electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) under the national circular economy framework.

The impact is medium because the decree introduces operational, logistical, and compliance obligations for producers, importers, and waste management systems across multiple industrial sectors, requiring the creation or expansion of collection, reverse logistics, and recycling infrastructure. However, the regulation mainly affects the Chilean market and builds upon the already existing REP legal framework rather than creating a completely new regulatory regime.

Key reasons for medium impact:

• Establishes mandatory EPR collection and recovery targets for batteries and EEE
• Requires producers and importers to finance and organize waste management systems
• Introduces obligations for nationwide collection and territorial coverage
• Includes specific rules for photovoltaic panels and electronic waste streams
• Promotes circular economy, recycling, and material recovery
• Requires operational and compliance adaptations from manufacturers and importers
• Strengthens environmental and waste management enforcement in Chile

Who?

• Manufacturers and importers of batteries and EEE
• Producers of photovoltaic panels
• Electronics and appliance distributors
• Recycling and waste management operators
• Reverse logistics providers
• Municipal collection systems
• Ministry of the Environment and REP management systems

Conclusion

Chile’s new EPR decree for batteries and electronic equipment represents a significant environmental and compliance development that strengthens the country’s circular economy framework and electronic waste management obligations. While the regulation introduces important operational and financial responsibilities for industry stakeholders, its impact remains primarily national and aligned with the ongoing implementation of Chile’s REP system, making it a medium-impact regulatory development.