COMMITMENTS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Tyre Importers and Vehicle  Importers

This page contains information on:

• General Commitments
• Specific Commitments
• Data and Reporting Requirements
• Guidance on Meeting the Commitments

In order to fully understand the requirements outlined in this section, It is recommended that Applicants download the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme Guidelines or click here to access the Guidelines in the Resources section of this website.

As a Participant in the Tyre Stewardship Scheme, your organisation supports the objectives of the Scheme to:

• increase resource recovery and recycling and minimise the environmental, health and safety impacts of end-of-life tyres generated in Australia, and
• develop Australia’s tyre recycling industry and markets for tyre derived products.

You are committed to meet the obligations as a participant in the Scheme as set out in the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme Guidelines.

1. Your organisation commits to:

• dealing transparently and ethically with others involved in the tyre supply chain, including consumers;
• promote the scheme to the community, other businesses and organisations, including through the development and implementation of an individual Action Plan;
• use the scheme’s branding and logo and adhere to the conditions that apply to that use, as set out in Part B of the Guidelines;
• comply with relevant laws and practices, including those that apply to the environment and occupational health and safety; and
• co-operate with surveys that are undertaken from time to time, and with random or risk based audits as instigated by TSA. This includes retaining and, on request, providing to TSA the documentation specified in the relevant guidance on documentation in the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme Guidelines.

2. All Participants in the Tyre Stewardship Scheme also commit to contribute to:

• the environmentally sound use of end-of-life tyres;
• elimination of the inappropriate export of baled tyres from Australia;
• elimination of the illegal dumping of end-of-life tyres;
• elimination of disposal of end-of-life tyres to landfill (except where no viable alternative is available and subject to state and territory legislation; for example, in rural and remote areas where appropriate recycling facilities are not available, or transportation costs are prohibitive).

In addition to the general commitments above, tyre importers and vehicle manufacturers and importers commit to:

a) contribute funding to support the administration and activities of TSA

b) provide data to TSA on the types and numbers sold in each reporting period (see Reporting below)

c) only import tyres that are compliant with the relevant Australian standards, whether the tyres are imported as loose replacements or fitted to new vehicles

d) promote participation in the scheme to businesses and other organisations to which they supply tyres, including through the development of an Action Plan.

Separate reporting will not be required from automotive importers and manufacturers as monthly sales numbers will be drawn from the monthly Vfacts data and EPU calculations will be made based on make and model reported.

Reporting schedule

Tyre importers and vehicle manufacturers and importers must submit their reports to TSA quarterly (see schedule below).

Funding

The amount of funding to be contributed by a participant in this category will depend on the number of EPUs sold by the participant. Contributions will be based on a levy of 25 cents per EPU or an equivalent membership fee. The EPU ratio for larger tyres will be capped at 400 EPU.

Participants in this category must retain and, on request, provide to TSA all records and statements necessary for TSA to verify their tyre imports.

Standards

There are standards for loose replacement tyres fitted to vehicles under the Australian Design Rules. Previously industry, through the Tyre IWG, has called for greater enforcement of these standards by states and territories. Industry is taking responsibility for compliance with standards amongst its members.

Industry is now developing a new voluntary standard for energy efficiency and safety labelling for tyres through an industry-government working group. The working group comprises: the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Australian Tyre Industry Council.