Argentina's New Agenda, Ecotoxic Pesticides, Energy Efficiency, EPR for Batteries

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Politics & Policy:? The New Administration in Argentina

Argentina’s new President Milei took office on December 11th.? As a reformer who came to office with big promises to slash government spending and bureaucracy, Milei’s first enactments are true to his campaign promises.? In Decree 8/2023, published on his first day in office, the new leader gutted the former ministries to carve out and reshape them.? From 18 cabinet level ministries, Argentina moves now to only nine (9).? Also as expected, the environmental agency – and likely agenda – took a hit.? The Secretary of the Environment (the top agency at the federal level) has been demoted to a Subsecretary that will report to the Ministry of the Interior.? The environmental agenda has been redistributed to various other agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Secretary of Energy, and Secretary of Bioeconomy, among others.? Although the new administration confirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement through a representative at the COP28 meeting, it is likely that other environmental policies will be on the backburner.?

One of the pending items – including for OECD accession – is the development of a framework chemical management law.? Two well-developed proposals have been pending in Congress for the last few years. ?Under the new Decree 8/2023, the task of “intervening with preventive criteria in the reduction of morbidity due to toxins and chemicals risks in all stages of the life cycle” is squarely with the Ministry of Health.? Given the demotion of the Secretary of Environment, the many tasks on the plate for the Ministry of Health, and the new President’s lack of majority in either house of Congress, it seems less likely that a new chemical law will be enacted in Argentina in the near term.

Link to Decree 8/2023:

https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/300727/20231211

Battery EPR in Chile

As reported, Chile has commenced work on EPR for batteries, as defined.? Now, the country has extended the period to apply to be a part of the Operating Committee for Batteries until December 13, 2023.? This Committee will play a key role in setting the collection targets and the other compliance requirements.? Also, the government is accepting general input – technical, economic, and social – on the issue of EPR for batteries until December 28, 2023.?

Energy Efficiency is Climate Change Regulation

As the world sees record heatwaves, including a deadly spate of high temperatures in Brazil in the last month, the focus on cooling systems and technologies is ever more important.? One of the less showy ways out of the climate crisis is in greater energy efficiency for existing white goods.? In that vein, Brazil just published new energy efficiency standards for refrigerators and freezers produced or imported into Brazil for use or sale.?

Link to new standard:

https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/resolucao-n-2-de-23-de-novembro-de-2023-529241643

Pesticides & Pollinators:? New Rule in Chile

It is no surprise given the importance of agriculture in Chile that the country would be enacting regulations to protect bees and beekeeping.? As part of a group of draft standards to flesh out a new law on bees, the Secretary of Agriculture has posted a draft regulation that would define the category of agricultural pesticides that are ecotoxic to bees.? It would define the new classification, the requirements and labeling standards for the products, as well as the zone of influence and standards around their application.? The draft is available for public comment until January 31, 2024.

Link to Draft:

https://www.sag.gob.cl/sites/default/files/Aviso_aplicacion_plaguicidas_Art_12_Ley_apicola_para_CP..pdf

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