Under the Resource Sustainability Act (RSA), companies that (1) have an annual turnover above S$10M, (2) supply goods to Singapore, and (3) import packaged goods or use packaging in Singapore, will be obligated to submit a Data Report and 3R Plan to the National Environment Agency (NEA) (note that a few conditions may apply). Through the Data Report, companies will determine the total amount of packaging supplied to the Singapore market in the calendar year 2025. The submission deadline will be 31 March 2026 (6 months from now!).
Whether your organisation is new to MPR or looking to improve its compliance strategy, this article aims to provide key steps, reminders, and best practices to help you meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential penalties.
Three Golden Rules for MPR Compliance
Zero Waste City has delivered MPR Compliance submissions for wide range of companies since the very first MPR submission of CY2021. From our extensive experience in delivering on MPR Compliance, we would like to share a few golden rules that we have learnt over the years.
1. Substantiate all data and statements
Remember that every reported figure or statement must be supported by documented evidence. Such evidence include, but not limited to:
- Pictures of weight measurements on a scale (and the calibration certificate)
- Specification sheets from suppliers (and copy of correspondence)
- Shipping documentation
- SOPs or Working Instructions to show exactly how data were collected
- Calculation spreadsheets
2. All packaging is reportable unless you can find a reason to exclude it
By default, all packaging placed on the Singapore market, whether consumer-facing or B2B, must be reported. However, several conditions can be used to exclude certain types of packaging. It is important to disclose in your methodology document which packaging was excluded and why.
3. Organise your documentation in a way that you won’t be there next year
As per the regulation, companies must keep records for 5 years. As a result, the regulator can conduct a verification of the submission made up to 5 years in the past. Between people changing position or roles, moving in or leaving organisations, and as time passes, people forget, you should prepare the documentation in a way that someone else can easily understand it.
This can include, but not limited to:
- Standardise file naming
- Cross-reference documentation with the methodology document
- Organise files and folders in an intuitive manner
- Develop SOPs and Working Instructions to explain each step of the process
Effective Strategies to Prepare for MPR Compliance
Depending on your organisation’s resources and data readiness, experience, and complexity, several strategies can be suggested to optimise costs and resource involvement.
1. Building in-house capabilities
Companies can choose to manage their MPR process in-house, taking full control of data collection, reporting and 3R plan development.
To build such expertise, you can:
- Attend industry trainings such as the 1-day MPR training, organised by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation under the Packaging Partnership Programme.
- Engage Zero Waste City to conduct a customised MPR training workshops tailored to your industry, packaging types, and operations
To have an idea of the time commitment required to do an MPR submission, on average, we spend about 120 hours of work to complete an MPR submission for a company, depending on complexity and data availability.
2. Do It In-House with Expert Review
Already have the data report and a methodology document draft? Avoid last-minute surprises or NEA clarifications by getting a review before submission.
Zero Waste City can help you:
- Validate packaging classifications and weights
- Check for missing documentation
- Review 3R plans against NEA’s evaluation criteria
- Verify calculations and data consistency
- Highlight red flags or compliance risks
A cost-effective option for teams confident in their data but seeking assurance before submission.
3. Full or partial outsourcing of the MPR Process
Short on time or resources? You can choose to outsource the entire MPR process (or parts of it) to an external consultant. Make sure to work with an experienced consultant to avoid bad surprises.
Zero Waste City can manage:
- Identification and classification of reportable and non reportable packaging
- Data collection from suppliers and internal sources
- Packaging assessment (weight measurement and material classification)
- Completion of NEA templates and documentation
- Drafting and submission through the NEA’s online portal
- Liaison with NEA for clarifications or amendments
Need Help with Your MPR Submission?
Whether you’re looking to:
- Build internal capabilities
- Get expert feedback before submission
- Outsource the MPR reporting process
Our experienced team is ready to help. Feel free to email us at info@zerowastecity.com to request a quotation.