Focus on… Panama

New waste law will be enforceable from 30^th June 2022

On 30^th December 2021, Law 276 that regulates Integral Solid Waste Management became effective in Panama. It is the second law of this type in Panama.

The previously adopted law, which is still currently binding, regulated waste management in Panama in a more general manner.

Law 276 represents an evolution by establishing new definitions, categories of products and objectives for waste management, defining the public policies necessary for this purpose.

It creates a category of products called ‘special handling products’ for which ‘waste generators’ (including producers, importers, distributors, and distance sellers), need to comply with specific treatment, transportation, and storage requirements based on the characteristics of the products. This category includes:

• Household goods
• Textiles
• Electrical and electronic equipment

Interestingly, it opens the door to integrate these special handling products as part of a future extended producer responsibility (EPR) system in Panama. To this end, further regulations are planned by the Authority.

Panama is one of the countries covered by Landbell Group’s regulatory tracking service. Find out more about the service here.