PUTRAJAYA: The Environment Department (DOE) remains committed to strengthening monitoring and enforcement at electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) processing premises to ensure all scheduled waste management activities comply with environmental legislation.
DOE deputy director-general (development) Azuri Azizah Saedon said inspections of such premises would continue to be enhanced, while ensuring non-compliance was addressed consistently, transparently and based on evidence.
ALSO READ: EAIC urges more night inspections of e-waste premises in Segamat
"The DOE will continue to strengthen monitoring and inspection of premises and enhance the effectiveness of enforcement operations to ensure that any non-compliance is addressed consistently, transparently and based on evidence, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and standard operating procedures in force," she said in a statement Tuesday (Oct 27).
This comes following a statement by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) on Oct 22 regarding enforcement action against scheduled waste processing premises, particularly e-waste facilities, as well as recycling activities in the Segamat Industrial Area in Johor.
She also reminded all operators to ensure scheduled waste management activities, including e-waste, are carried out in full compliance with environmental laws.
She said failure to comply with legal provisions could result in enforcement action being taken, including prosecution in court, depending on the nature of the offence, the relevant legal provisions and the sufficiency of evidence.
"The department respects the role of the EAIC is ensuring the integrity, accountability and effectiveness of country's enforcement agencies," she added.
As such, Azuri Azizah said the DOE would extend the necessary cooperation to the EAIC in any investigation and further review processes, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and procedures in force.
Previously, the EAIC recommended that the DOE step up night-time inspections on e-waste and recycling premises to ensure that operational activities and possible legal violations could be detected more effectively.
The recommendation was made following a further EAIC investigation into the DOE's enforcement action against e-waste premises in the Segamat Industrial Area, Johor, which found that night-time inspections were currently conducted only when necessary and in response to complaints received. - Bernama
