Law planned for green consumerism
By TAN CHENG LI
KUALA LUMPUR: Certain products may in future he required to contain a minimum percentage of recycled material to promote green consumerism.
They may also have to carry environmental labeling and labels stating their properties, content and method of manufacture.
The Law Review Committee, which made this proposal under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, suggested a deposit and rebate scheme be introduced for products which would cause adverse impacts when disposed.
The committee also proposed that specific regulations be drawn up to control products containing toxic materials and radioactivity.
It suggested imposing an environment fee on products which are hazardous to health and environment.
The committee has identified at least 15 issues as inadequately addressed in existing environment-related legislations.
These included resource recovery, taxation incentives, pollution by pesticides and poisons, green products, soil erosion and siltation, resource use, solid waste, mining, coastal development, development around airports, dangerous installations, noise pollution, radiation safety and conservation of water resource.
The committee proposed that:
• INCENTIVES be given for the setting up of resource recovery facility;
• A Resource Recovery Act be introduced;
• STATES have a Planning and Development Act to ensure preservation of natural resources;
• MORE powers be given to local authorities under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 to require occupiers of houses to install facilities to trap refuse in drains;
• A National Water Council be set up to manage and co-ordinate all water resources development and to review water tariffs for the industrial sector;
• INDUSTRIES set up a research and development fund; and
• Tax incentives be given for the import of clean technology.
It also highlighted the need for policies on development and management of coastal zones and development around airports.
An integrated act on hazardous chemicals was also needed, covering the manufacturing, transport, storage, packaging, labelling and disposal aspects.
"Such an act is necessary because many chemicals used here are banned in their countries of origin," the committee said.
Source : April 4 1993
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